Tourism spending in the Balearic Islands is increasing significantly faster than the number of visitors, with the latest figures showing a 5.6% rise in revenue compared with a 1.8% increase in arrivals so far this year.

The figures highlight how the islands' tourism economy is generating more revenue without a comparable increase in visitor numbers, although rising prices—particularly accommodation costs—are also an important factor behind the difference.

11.2 Million Visitors So Far This Year

Just over 3 million visitors arrived in the Balearic Islands during July, bringing the total number of visitors since January to approximately 11.2 million.

That represents a 1.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

Tourism revenue, however, has grown considerably faster.

The islands have generated more than €13.7 billion in tourism spending so far this year, representing a 5.6% increase year on year.

In percentage terms, spending is therefore growing at roughly three times the rate of visitor arrivals.

July Shows an Even Bigger Gap

The difference becomes even more pronounced during the peak summer season.

In July, tourism revenue increased by around 8%, reaching approximately €4.6 billion.

Visitor arrivals, meanwhile, increased by just 0.2% compared with July 2025.

The figures suggest that the Balearics are generating substantially more tourism revenue without experiencing a significant increase in the number of visitors during the busiest part of the season.

Higher Prices Are Part of the Story

The increase in spending does not necessarily mean that every visitor is choosing to spend more on additional experiences, restaurants or shopping.

Forbes notes that higher prices across the islands, particularly for accommodation, are contributing to the increase.

At the same time, visitor numbers appear to be reaching a relatively stable peak during the central summer months, with around three million visitors arriving in July.

The combination means that tourists are spending more overall even while the number of people travelling to the islands has changed very little.

The Balearics Lead Spain in July Tourism Spending

The Balearic Islands also recorded the highest international tourism spending in Spain during July.

The islands generated around €4.6 billion, ahead of Catalonia, which recorded approximately €3.7 billion.

The picture is different when looking at the full year so far.

On a year-to-date basis, the Balearics rank fourth nationally, behind Catalonia, Andalusia and the Canary Islands.

The difference reflects the strongly seasonal nature of tourism in the islands, despite efforts to extend activity beyond the traditional summer months.

Germany and the UK Remain Major Markets

Germany and the United Kingdom continued to be the two largest international source markets during July.

Together, they accounted for almost 1.2 million visits.

However, not every major market recorded growth.

Visits from Germany fell by around 4%, while France and Belgium also recorded declines compared with the previous year.

Other markets, including the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, saw stronger performance, while visitors grouped under the broader “rest of the world” category also increased.

Where Are Tourists Spending Their Money?

The latest figures also provide an insight into how tourist spending is distributed.

Based on year-to-date figures, around 25.3% of tourism expenditure went towards package holidays.

Accommodation and food accounted for approximately 36%.

The remaining 38.68% covered transportation, activities and other expenses.

This means that a substantial proportion of tourist spending extends beyond hotels and meals, although local businesses have reported that the increase in overall tourism revenue has not necessarily translated into higher sales across every part of the island economy.

Around €1,500 Per Visitor in July

Tourist spending per person also reached a high level during the peak season.

In July, spending per visitor approached €1,500, while average spending per person per day was close to €240.

That daily figure is particularly significant because it puts the Balearics on track to surpass the €200-per-person-per-day threshold for the full year.

For comparison, the annual average reached a record €197 per person per day in 2025.

A Shift From Volume to Value?

The figures support the Balearic government's argument that the islands are moving towards a tourism model focused more heavily on economic value rather than simply increasing visitor numbers.

At the Madrid International Tourism Fair earlier this year, regional government vice president and economy minister Antoni Costa said the Balearics had begun an economic transformation in which the destination was growing more rapidly in value than in volume.

However, the latest numbers also show why the distinction needs some context.

Higher tourism revenue is partly linked to higher prices, while some retailers, restaurants and other businesses serving visitors have reported that sales have remained broadly stable.

That means increased overall spending does not necessarily translate equally across every part of the tourism economy.

What the Numbers Mean for the Balearics

The latest figures present an interesting picture for the islands.

Visitor numbers are continuing to grow, but only modestly, while tourism revenue is increasing at a considerably faster pace.

During July, the gap was particularly striking: visitor arrivals rose just 0.2%, while tourism spending increased 8%.

For the Balearic Islands, that could support the argument for a tourism model that prioritises economic returns rather than simply pursuing ever-higher visitor numbers.

At the same time, the influence of rising prices means the figures should be viewed carefully.

What is clear is that the islands are currently generating more tourism revenue from a relatively stable number of visitors—making spending, rather than arrivals alone, an increasingly important measure of the Balearics' tourism performance.

Source: Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) and the Balearic Islands Institute of Statistics (IBESTAT).