Madrid has started 2025 by consolidating its tourist appeal for international markets. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the capital welcomed 758,096 travelers in January, representing a 6.5% increase compared to the same month the previous year. Among visitors, the growth of 8.2% for international tourists stands out compared to 4.7% for domestic tourists. This figure surpasses the average increase recorded in the whole of Spain (2%), reinforcing the tourist leadership of the capital.
The number of overnight stays in Madrid in January reached 1,557,615, which is a 7.8% increase on an annual basis compared to the national average of 2.5%. In this regard, international tourism grew by 10.9% compared to 3.7% for domestic tourism.
The delegate councilor for Tourism, Almudena Maíllo, highlighted that «the tourism data for January 2025 confirm that Madrid is heading in the right direction» and that the City Council will continue working «to de-seasonalize and decentralize the destination, attracting a profile of visitor who values the cultural, gastronomic, and leisure offerings of the city.»
United States and China, prominent emitting markets
Madrid welcomed 388,136 international visitors in January, accounting for 51.2% of the total. The United States remains the main international emitting market with 51,108 travelers (13.4% more than in 2024), followed by Italy with 34,043 (17.6% more than the previous year), France with 22,663 (8.2% more), and Mexico with 20,254 (12.6% more than in 2024). The tourism behavior of Asian markets in January confirms the appeal of Madrid in these countries. China, with 16,763 visitors, grew by 53.8% compared to 2024, and Japan, with 5,664, by 18.9%.
In terms of overnight stays, the United States leads with 129,386 nights (an increase of 12.9% compared to January 2024), followed by Italy with 87,100 (20.6% more), and France with 47,087 (4.6% more than in January of the previous year). Meanwhile, China stands out again with an annual increase of 63.2%, totaling 32,710 overnight stays. In light of these data, Maíllo pointed out that «the roadmap set by the Strategic Tourism Plan of Madrid is working, as evidenced by the growth in the American and Chinese markets.» For the councilor, «the capital has enormous potential as a long-haul destination.»
Tourism, a driving force for the local economy
In January, 841 hotel establishments were in operation, 66 fewer than in the same month of 2024, and the available bed capacity grew by 0.5%, reaching 92,587. Regarding the average stay, it stood at 2.01 nights per traveler (1.67 nights for domestic visitors and 2.28 for international visitors). The occupancy rate by available beds increased by 3.6 percentage points to 53.7%, while the room occupancy rate was 64.4%, 1.6 points higher than the previous year.
The hotel sector continues to demonstrate its positive impact on local employment with 14,227 workers in January, a 10.1% increase compared to the previous year, showing, as Maíllo emphasized, that «tourism generates greater well-being for the city.» /
