Spanish arrivals in Thailand fell 15.1% to 80,089 between 1 January and 15 July 2026, the steepest drop of any European market, after disruption in the Gulf hit the Middle Eastern carriers that the Tourism Authority of Thailand says carry about 80% of Spanish visitors. On 26 and 27 September TAT answered in Madrid with Amazing Thailand Fest, a food-led event backed by a campaign from Viajes El Corte Inglés. This briefing, from a Thailand DMC for travel agents, sets out what the numbers show, what TAT is selling to Spain and how to package Thailand for Spanish clients.
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What the numbers show
- Spain: 80,089 arrivals from 1 January to 15 July 2026, down 15.1% on the same period of 2025, as reported from TAT figures.
- Its neighbours: Italy fell 10.5% to 135,572 and Portugal 7.75% to 27,098 over the same period.
- The reason given: these markets depend on one-stop routings through the Gulf. TAT put the share flying with Middle Eastern carriers at about 80% for Spain, 60% for Italy and 90% for Portugal, so the second-quarter disruption on those routes landed on Southern Europe first.
- The wider picture: Thailand counted 22,666,429 foreign arrivals from 1 January to 26 September 2026, down 3.65% year on year.
The fall is a routing story more than a demand story. When a client's usual connection is disrupted, the trip is postponed rather than replaced, which is why the recovery depends on seats as much as on marketing.
What TAT did in Madrid
Amazing Thailand Fest 2026 ran on 26 and 27 September at El Corte Inglés Sanchinarro in Madrid, under TAT's "The Wholesome Taste of Thai" theme. Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, founder of the Blue Elephant restaurants, cooked dishes that mixed the two kitchens, including a tom kha gazpacho, alongside Thai massage, Muay Thai, craft workshops and performances. Viajes El Corte Inglés promoted Thailand packages to about 100,000 members, with a campaign across 430 screens, radio and influencers; TAT's stated targets were about 5,000 visitors on site and 20 million consumer exposures. Spain is handled by TAT's Rome office, which covers seven Southern European markets.
For the trade, the message is that food is the way in: TAT presented gastronomy as the opening to wellness, Muay Thai and crafts, which are all bookable on the ground.
How Spanish clients arrive, and the entry rule
Routing. Most Spanish clients connect once, through a Gulf, European or Asian hub. Iberojet lists a direct Madrid–Bangkok service, reported at two flights a week; reconfirm the schedule for your travel dates before building a programme around it. When a client's usual Gulf routing is disrupted, quote an alternative connection early rather than waiting for the carrier to rebook.
Visa. Spanish passport holders are in the 30-day exemption group of the framework Thailand introduced on 15 September 2026, and the exemption is framed for tourism. A two-week holiday fits easily; a longer stay needs a visa or an extension. Our briefing on the visa exemption rules explains the categories.
What Spanish clients book
A first trip usually pairs Bangkok with the north and a beach: Bangkok for temples, the river and street food, Chiang Mai for the old city and the hills, then Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui to finish. Spain's main holiday month is August, which falls in Thailand's rainy season, so steer August travellers to the Gulf of Thailand islands and keep the Andaman coast for the dry months. Food fits naturally into every stage: a market visit and cooking class in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, and a seafood dinner on the coast. Our Bangkok guide and Phuket guide cover the two busiest bases, and our guide for European tour operators covers the wider market.
How to sell it
Sell the food first, as TAT did in Madrid, and build the itinerary around it: a cooking class, a market walk, a Muay Thai session and a spa day all fit a two-week trip. Our Thailand DMC tours and activities team runs these as private or small-group experiences. Ask your Thailand DMC which guide languages are available on your dates before you promise one to a client. A Thailand DMC with its own vehicles can also run the transfers between airport, hotel and activities, which matters when an international arrival time has changed. The full range is on our Thailand DMC services page; agents in other markets can browse our source markets page, and the trade desk is on our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many Spanish visitors come to Thailand?
Thailand counted 80,089 Spanish arrivals from 1 January to 15 July 2026, down 15.1% on the same period of 2025, according to TAT figures.
Why did Spanish arrivals fall in 2026?
TAT linked the fall to disruption in the Gulf, because about 80% of Spanish visitors fly to Thailand with Middle Eastern carriers. When those routings were disrupted in the second quarter, Spanish travel to Thailand fell with them.
Do Spanish travellers need a visa for Thailand?
Not for a tourist stay of up to 30 days. Spain is in the 30-day exemption group of the framework that took effect on 15 September 2026. Longer stays need a visa or an extension.
When should Spanish clients travel to Thailand?
November to April is the dry season across most of the country. Clients who can only travel in August should favour the Gulf of Thailand islands, such as Koh Samui, where August is usually drier than on the Andaman coast.
