Spain has been crowned Best European Tourist Destination at the Irish Travel Trade Awards 2025.
The award was presented at a gala dinner held at the Clayton Hotel Dublin, attended by more than 300 tourism professionals, celebrating excellence across the sector.
Voted for directly by Irish travel agents and industry professionals, the accolade recognises not only Spain’s enduring popularity but also its strategic shift towards higher-quality, more sustainable tourism focused on responsible travel.
Strong growth from the Irish market
The award further cements Spain’s status as a top destination for Irish travellers. In the first nine months of 2025, more than 2.44 million Irish visitors travelled to Spain – an increase of 10.8% year on year.
Tourism spending also rose sharply, up 13.9% compared with the same period last year, highlighting a clear trend towards higher-value tourism, rather than growth driven purely by visitor numbers.
Industry recognition in Dublin
The ceremony was hosted by well-known Irish broadcaster Jennifer Zamparelli and brought together key figures from across the travel industry, including representatives from Iberia, Turismo de la Costa del Sol, Turismo de Salou, and Spain’s Tourism Office in Dublin.
The Irish Travel Trade Awards are regarded as one of the most important events in Ireland’s professional tourism calendar, offering a clear snapshot of industry confidence and destination performance.
Organisers said the award reflects a mature and trusted relationship between Spain and the Irish market, built on service quality, diversity of offer and a shared commitment to more sustainable tourism models.
Spain’s Tourism Office in Dublin also played a prominent role at the event, sponsoring the Sustainability and Culture Award, reinforcing Spain’s message that the future of tourism lies in balancing economic growth with environmental protection and cultural enrichment.
Looking ahead to 2026
Spain has long been one of Ireland’s favourite holiday destinations, and this recognition highlights not only market loyalty but also Spain’s ability to adapt to the sector’s evolving challenges – including digitalisation, year-round tourism, regional diversification and increasingly personalised travel experiences.
With its favourable climate, rich cultural and gastronomic offer, strong infrastructure and clear institutional commitment to sustainability, Spain continues to stand out as a benchmark destination.
