Traveling with a package tour, a trend that continues to gain ground among Spaniards

More and more Spaniards are opting for package tours , a minority trend that continues to gain ground and is expected to exceed 4% of all trips for the first time this year. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) , more than 7.15 million Spanish tourists opted for these packages last year, an increase of 12.3% compared to 2023.

Despite this growth, this option remains a minority, as travelers who booked package tours accounted for 3.9% of the total . In 2023, it was 3.4% , reflecting a growing interest in professional advice and organized travel planning.

The Spaniard who purchases these packages is "a client who wants to enjoy the destinations with proper planning and careful design to make the most of the places visited," explained José Manuel Lastra, First Vice President of the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) . These packages are also sought after by those looking for a comprehensive package that includes most foreseeable expenses and provides peace of mind.

Growth forecasts for this year are positive, both in the second quarter and during the summer , with overall agency growth "above 5% ," according to Lastra. However, they are still far from pre- pandemic levels: in 2019, 7.77 million Spanish tourists opted for package tours, 7.9% more than last year.

The president of the Business Federation of Territorial Associations of Spanish Travel Agencies (FETAVE) , César Gutiérrez , stated that the sector has the capacity to continue growing. "Travel has become a priority , and the work of agencies is increasingly valued. This trust explains why many clients are returning and makes us optimistic about the future," he emphasized. He also believes that international instability has reinforced confidence in packages because they offer security , ease, and the peace of mind of having a professional.

Packages, a highly sought-after option for foreigners

Demand for package tours among foreign tourists arriving in Spain is also high and was growing until this year, although it appears to have stabilized. In July, according to the INE (National Institute of Statistics and Census), more than 2.8 million tourists arrived with package tours, a slight decrease of 0.4% compared to 2024, a record year in the last five years.

Last June was the best month since the pandemic, with a year-over-year increase of 3.9% . 2025 marks the first year without a clear increase in the number of foreign tourists traveling on vacation packages , although one in four did so.

Spending by international tourists on package tours continues to rise, reaching €2.927 billion in July, up 4.1% year-on-year and 11% compared to July 2019, its all-time high .