Alicante's Foreign Tourism Income Hits €1.882 Billion in Record First Quarter

A Decade of Growth Reflected in One Quarter

Alicante province generated €1.882 billion in foreign tourism income in the first quarter of 2026 — roughly double the figure recorded a decade ago. The province now accounts for 66% of all tourism spending across the Valencian Community, up from 63% in the same period in 2014. Total tourism spending across the entire Valencian Community reached €2.872 billion in Q1 2026.

Benidorm Posts Its Best-Ever First Quarter

Benidorm achieved its strongest first-quarter performance on record, with €415 million in foreign visitor spending — up from €405 million in 2024 and €393 million in 2025. What makes the result particularly notable is that Easter did not fall within the first quarter this year, meaning the figure was not boosted by that typical peak-demand period.

March 2026 — Record Numbers

March alone delivered standout results for the region:

• The Valencian Community recorded €1.188 billion in foreign tourist spending during March — a 6.7% year-on-year increase
• The region welcomed 932,199 international visitors in March — the best figures ever recorded for that month
• At the national level, Spain's total tourism spending hit €9.606 billion in March, with the Valencian Community accounting for 12% of that total

What's Driving the Growth

Strong performance is attributed to a combination of factors: steady hotel availability, competitive room pricing, ongoing hotel sector improvements, and the expanding reach of Alicante-Elche Airport across multiple provinces. British visitors remain a key driver of demand, and continued efforts to reduce seasonal dependency are helping sustain income outside the traditional summer peak.

For the Costa Blanca and wider Alicante province, the figures reinforce its position as one of Spain's most economically significant tourism destinations — and one that is growing its dominance within its own region.

This article is based on reporting from Alicante Today, published May 6, 2026.