Aragon’s spa resorts generate an economic impact of €78.2 million and support 780 jobs, according to the study Spa Resorts and the Demographic Challenge in Aragon: Impact on Depopulation and Local Employment, updated on November 10, 2026. Much of the activity’s impact is concentrated in nearby municipalities, where it boosts employment and helps retain population.
Aragon’s spa resorts support 780 jobs and increase spending in rural areas
The sector supports 557 direct jobs and 223 indirect jobs. Between 85% and 90% of direct positions are often filled by residents of nearby towns, reinforcing the importance of these establishments to the local labor market.
Average spending per visitor reaches €114.56 per day, while total spending over the full stay stands at €642.31. This figure includes spending at the spa resort itself as well as at local shops and restaurants.
The report, prepared by the Directorate-General for Depopulation of the Government of Aragon, links this activity to job creation across the region and to its ability to help combat depopulation in surrounding municipalities.
Health tourism accounts for 83.5% of visits to Aragon’s spa resorts
Health tourism is the main reason for travel for 83.5% of visitors. It is followed by rural tourism, cited by 19.8%, and cultural tourism, at 19.4%.
37.9% of visitors arrive through Imserso, while 33.2% travel as couples and 13.2% travel with their families. Private cars account for 92.2% of journeys, and seven in 10 visitors come from outside Aragon.
The average stay is six days and five nights, although there are significant differences among provinces in both visit duration and visitor profiles and spending.
Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel show different stay and spending profiles
In Zaragoza, stays of one to three days predominate. Couples account for 39.6% of visits, while average spending per stay amounts to €676.35.
In Huesca, short stays of one to three days are also the most common. 52.2% of respondents had previously visited the spa resort, and 42% identified rural tourism as one of the reasons for their trip. Average spending per stay reaches €710.26, the highest among the three provinces.
In Teruel, Imserso plays a larger role: 58.4% of visitors access the resorts through the program. In addition, 57.8% stay for 10 days or more, although average spending per stay stands at €553.05. The study concludes that spa resorts have particularly significant economic and employment effects in their areas of influence.
