The average cost per tourist stands at 1,233 euros, with an annual increase of 3.8%
Spain received the visit of 4.3 million international tourists in February, 35.9% more than in the same month of 2022, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), which shows how these tourists spent 41.1% more than the same month of the previous year reaching 5,326 million euros.
Tourism in Spain recovers strongly in the first two months of the year, a total of 8.5 million visitors visited our country, which means an increase of 49.1% on the figure registered in the same period a year earlier.
This increase in visitors was accompanied by an increase in spending. Thus, in the first two months of the year, the total expenditure of international tourists who visited Spain increased by 54.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 10,544 million euros. Compared to 2019, this figure is 12.9% higher.
For the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, “it is proving to be an exceptional start to the year for tourism, at the gates of Easter in which we expect occupancy and spending records to be broken.”
The United Kingdom continues to be the country that sends the most tourists to Spain with 18.2% of the total. In February, a total of 784,496 Britons arrived in Spain, representing an increase of 35.6% compared to February of the previous year.
France and Germany were the next countries in number of visitors. Thus, France contributed 636,530 (23.8% more in annual rate) and Germany 509,883 (30.9% more). Among the rest of the countries of residence, the annual growth of tourists from the United States (93.0%), Italy (44.0%) and Switzerland (42.8%) stand out.
In the first two months of 2023, a total of 8.5 million people arrived in Spain, 49.1% more than in 2022 but still 1.3% below the figure registered in the first two months of 2019, before the pandemic.
The main issuing countries in the first two months of 2023 were the United Kingdom (over 1.5 million tourists and an annual increase of 61.9%), France (with more than 1.1 million, and an increase of 30 .2%) and Germany (with 988,142 tourists, 47.2% more).
The INE data show how the Canary Islands once again became the favorite destination for international tourists, accounting for 28.5% of all visitors. They are followed by Catalonia (21.4%) and Andalusia (14.2%).
More than 1.2 million tourists arrived in the Canary Islands, 27.1% more than in February 2022. The main countries of residence for tourists from this community were the United Kingdom (with 33.1% of the total) and Germany (17.1%).
The number of tourists visiting Catalonia increased by 49.3% and stood at 924,464. 22% came from France and 8.1% from the United Kingdom.
The third community that received the most tourists was Andalusia, with 611,588 tourists and an annual increase of 43.9%. The United Kingdom is the main country of origin (with 19.2% of the total), followed by the Nordic countries (11.3%).
In the other communities the number of tourists increased by 60.3% in the Community of Madrid, 22.8% in the Valencian Community and 21.5% in the Balearic Islands.
In the accumulated of the first two months of 2023, the communities that received the most tourists were the Canary Islands (with more than 2.4 million and an increase of 40.9% compared to the same period in 2022), Catalonia (with 1.7 million and an increase of 58.9%) and Andalucía (with almost 1.2 million, 58.1% more).
Most of the visitors arrived in Spain by air, a total of 3.6 million (an annual increase of 38.4%). 23% more tourists arrive by road, 55.1% more by rail and 63% more by port, according to data from the statistical institute.
Hotel accommodation increased 26.2% in February, while rental housing increased 80.2%. The number of tourists staying in the home of relatives or friends increased by 45.1% and that of those staying in owned homes by 35.3%.
Leisure, recreation and holidays was the main reason for traveling to Spain for 3.5 million tourists in February (33.3%) while 376,394 arrived for business and other professional reasons (65.5% more).
The INE data show that in February almost 3.4 million tourists traveled without a tourist package, which represents an annual increase of 35.3%. 922,020 arrived with a tourist package, 38.2% more
EXPENDITURE GROWS ALMOST 4%.
This increase in the number of tourists led to an increase in spending that last February stood at an average of 1,233 euros, representing an annual increase of 3.8%. For its part, average daily spending grew by 19.2%, to 163 euros.
The average duration of international tourist trips was 7.6 days, which is 1.1 days less than in February 2022.
So far this year, the total expenditure of international tourists has increased by 54.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 10,544 million euros. If this accumulated figure is compared with the data for 2019, before the pandemic, tourist spending is 12.9% higher.
The countries that spent the most in Spain were the United Kingdom (with 15.8% of the total), Germany (11.7%) and the Nordic countries (8.8%).
Spending by tourists residing in the United Kingdom increased by 25.2% in the annual rate, that of those from Germany by 26.7% and that of those from the Nordic countries by 34.4%.
In the first two months of 2023, the United Kingdom was also the country with the highest accumulated spending (16% of the total). They are followed by Germany (11.5%) and the Nordic countries (9%).
The Autonomous Communities in which tourists spent the most were the Canary Islands (with 33.7% of the total), Catalonia (17.5%) and Comunidad de Madrid (13.6%). Tourist spending increased by 27.6% in the annual rate in the Canary Islands, by 59.3% in Catalonia and by 80.2% in the Community of Madrid.
Spending on activities was the main item in February, with 22.8% of total spending and an increase of 37.6% compared to the same month in 2022. It is followed by spending on international transport and maintenance, with 22.1% and 16.2% of the total, respectively. The first increased 72.8% in the annual rate and the second 28.8%
58.1% of the total expenditure in February was made by tourists staying overnight in hotel accommodation, with an annual increase of 40.8%. For its part, spending on non-market accommodation grew by 27.9%.
The spending of tourists who did not travel with a tourist package (representing 78.9% of the total) increased by 40.4% in the annual rate. That of those who hire a tourist package increased by 44%.
