Tourism

First-quarter foreign tourism was up 13%

Easter will have helped boost the March tourism figures. | Jaume Morey

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma04/05/2018 00:00

Over the first three months of the year, the Balearics had 673,162 foreign tourists, an increase of 13% compared with the first quarter of 2017. In March, there were 401,356 foreign tourists, a rise of 23% over March last year. It might be noted that the final week of March, unlike last year, coincided with the Easter holidays.

The figures from the Frontur survey of foreign tourist movement show that the first-quarter increase was, in relative terms, the highest in the country. The national average was six per cent. Germany accounted for 56% of tourists; the UK for 16%.

Tourist spending over the first three months amounted to 663 million euros, an increase of 21%. In March, the spending was 400 million, which was 34% more. Average spend was up 9% to 995 euros based on an average length of stay of 6.9 days.

For Spain as a whole, there were 13.7 million foreign tourists during the first quarter and 5.4 million in March (up almost ten per cent over last year). Over the three months, the UK supplied 2.9 million tourists, a rise of 0.4%, followed by Germany with 1.9 million, an increase of eight per cent.

In absolute terms, the Canaries had the most foreign tourists between January and March - 3.7 million - followed by Catalonia with 3.1 million (up 3.4%) and Andalusia with 1.9 million.

Balearics foreign tourism

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4 comments

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RBMM | over 6 years ago

It is much too early to evaluate the effects of the tourist tax, but it doesn't look good so far as it doesn't seem to work at the present levels. And I agree with Dick that there is too much moaning. Does it help to moan?

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Dick | over 6 years ago

You guys will moan about everything! But the facts are there people are still coming to this beautiful island.

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S. | over 6 years ago

Could it be the LOW/EARLY Season prices, that create the demand. During the Summer and School Holiday periods, it is a question of cost, that will determine numbers visiting Mallorca

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arthru | over 6 years ago

The airlines have an option to tick Leisure or Business.However, they do not have an option to tick - returning Home. If you fly back and forth - 24 flights a year for example, this is adding to the mis calculation of numbers.Lovely weather for 5 days in May, and if you are staying in a 4 star in Magaluf/Palma Nova/Santa Ponsa and paying €4 per day tourist tax. There is very little on offer to do on this island if it is raining and miserable. The buses will be full going into Palma. This island is SO,SO,SO frustrating.

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