Murcia welcomes record number of international tourists in July

More than 162,000 foreign visitors arrived in the Region during July, with tourists staying an average of 12.1 days

The Region of Murcia has recorded a big increase in international tourism, with July bringing the highest number of international tourists ever recorded for the month.

A total of 162,652 international tourists visited the Region in July, 43,182 more than during the same month last year. That represents a 36.1% increase, well above the 4.6% rise recorded across Spain. It was the third-highest increase among Spain's regions and a new record for Murcia.

International tourists spent an average of 12.1 days in the Region during July, the longest average stay of any Spanish community. That compares with a national average of 7.2 days.

The UK continues to be one of Murcia's main international markets, along with France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries. Germany and Portugal also feature among the main sources of overseas visitors. The data also predictably shows that most international tourists continue to arrive by air.

International tourists spend almost €1 billion in seven months

The figures for the first seven months of 2026 also show strong growth. A total of 745,089 international tourists visited Murcia between January and July. That is 8.7% more than during the same period in 2025 and is another record for the Region.

International visitors spent €992 million during those seven months, compared with €961 million last year. Average daily spending also increased by 3.5%, reaching €120.87.

Visitors are staying for longer too. The average stay between January and July was 11 days, once again the longest of any Spanish region.

There has also been an increase in the number of people choosing accommodation outside traditional hotels. During the first seven months of the year, 195,182 travellers stayed in campsites, tourist apartments and other non-hotel accommodation across the Region, an increase of 3% on 2025.

July saw 232,331 overnight stays in this type of accommodation, up 5.4% on the previous year. International visitors accounted for 33,456 of those nights, an increase of 14.3%.

With the UK still one of the Region's main overseas markets, these figures will be welcome news for businesses that rely on international visitors, particularly across the coastal areas and other popular tourist destinations in Murcia.

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Image: CARM