Spain is witnessing an unprecedented surge in interest from Indian travellers, marking India as one of its most promising tourism markets. According to Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International, which manages visa services for Spain and other destinations, “From India, over 226,000 tourists visited Spain in 2024, reflecting a growth of more than 60% compared to 2022. This sharp rise underscores the growing fascination among Indian travellers for Spanish culture, heritage, and experiences.”
While official figures for January to June 2025 are yet to be detailed publicly, trends indicate that India’s outbound tourism to Spain continues its upward trajectory. “India remains a steadily growing source market for Spain,” Aggarwal notes, emphasizing that inbound travel trends point to continued expansion in this segment.
India’s Position in Spain’s Tourism Landscape
India is now considered among Spain’s top 10 source markets in terms of tourism revenue. Aggarwal explains, “Indian travellers are steadily climbing the ranks as one of the most valuable markets for Spain. Their growing spend is making a notable impact on the Spanish tourism economy, highlighting India’s strategic importance for future growth.”
Spain’s Tourism Office (Turespaña India) has identified specific Indian market segments that align with its promotional focus. These include independent young travellers (Millennials and Gen Z) seeking offbeat and sustainable experiences; luxury travellers drawn to boutique stays, culinary experiences, and high-end shopping; MICE groups visiting corporate hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Malaga; families and couples, including honeymooners; and culture and heritage enthusiasts. “These priorities reflect Spain’s aim to encourage quality tourism—longer stays, higher per-capita spend, and diversified regional exploration,” Aggarwal adds.
Preferred Destinations and Activities
Indian tourists are gravitating towards iconic Spanish destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, and Valencia. Their itineraries often include cultural and heritage tourism—exploring UNESCO sites and museums—alongside gastronomy experiences like tapas, paella, and local food festivals. Other popular activities include luxury shopping, attending football matches, and enjoying traditional festivals like La Tomatina and Flamenco performances.
Future Strategy and Growth Outlook
Looking ahead, BLS International has outlined a three-pronged strategy to deepen its presence in India while supporting global operations. Aggarwal highlights:
Technology-Driven Efficiency: “We are enhancing service delivery through innovations like AI-based chatbots, facial recognition, and biometric appointment scheduling. These tools improve customer experience, reduce processing times, and align with our vision of transforming citizen services in India.”
Global Growth, Local Impact: “Our strategic acquisitions worldwide are designed to strengthen Indian operations. Offshore revenues are reinvested to create jobs, improve capabilities, and drive cost efficiency—positioning India as the center of innovation for our global services.”
Vision & Philosophy: “Even as we scale globally, India remains our headquarters. Our goal is to become the first Indian onshore global G2C service delivery leader, leveraging India’s talent, technology, and operational strength to serve citizens worldwide.”
Based on current momentum, Aggarwal remains optimistic about 2025. “India is expected to witness continued growth in international tourist arrivals. With BLS International’s visa application volumes already exceeding pre-COVID levels, the outlook for inbound tourism from India remains robust.”
Air Connectivity Between Spain and India
Strong air connectivity is playing a crucial role in facilitating this growth. As of mid‑July 2025, one-stop flights link Madrid and Barcelona with Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, via hubs such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Frankfurt, and Zurich. Airlines like Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates dominate these routes. While non-stop services such as Iberojet’s Madrid–Delhi flight were planned for April 2025, current reports indicate that one-stop services remain the primary mode, with dozens of weekly flights strengthening the Spain–India air corridor.
With rising Indian interest, diversified travel experiences, and robust air connectivity, Spain is clearly positioning itself as a top choice for Indian tourists. As Aggarwal concludes, “The Indian market represents both a current success story and a long-term opportunity for Spain’s tourism sector, with quality, culturally immersive experiences driving growth for years to come.”
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