The United Kingdom continues to be the main source market, with more than 6.3 million tourists between January and May, a 10.6% increase. It is followed by France, with 4.42 million (+13.2%) and Germany, with 4.41 million (+14.7%). Of particular note is the growth of the Belgian market, with 20.3%, and Ireland, with an increase of almost 19%.
In May alone, 9.3 million international tourists visited Spain, 11.5% more than in May 2023, spending 11,687 million euros, which represents a growth of 19.7% compared to the same month last year.
Each visitor spent an average of 1,263 euros in May, 7.3% more than last year, and daily expenditure reached 204 euros, up 8.6% year-on-year. The average length of stay was 6 days.
“Spain is an attractive destination for international tourists, as reflected in the data on visitor arrivals in May. But the most remarkable thing is the increase in average spending per visitor, which is growing above inflation and contributing to the modernisation, sustainability and quality of employment in the sector,” said the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu. The minister pointed out that the growth in visits to inland mainland destinations in May was higher than to the Mediterranean and the islands.
“The government will continue to work on the basis of sustainability, decentralisation and deseasonalisation to keep Spain at the top of the list of international tourist destination,” Hereu added.
Catalonia was the main destination for tourists in May, with 22% of the total, followed by the Balearics (21.6%) and Andalusia (14.6%). Catalonia received 5.9% more tourists than in May 2023, while the number of tourists visiting the Balearics increased by 11.1% and Andalusia received 11.4% more.
During the first five months of 2024, the communities that received the most tourists were Catalonia (7.1 million and an increase of 13.1% compared to the same period in 2023), the Canary Islands (6.5 million and an increase of 10.7%) and Andalusia (4.9 million, up 12.9%). In terms of spending, the main countries of origin in May were the United Kingdom (with 18.8% of the total), Germany (12.1%) and France (8.5%).
Likewise, spending by tourists resident in the United Kingdom increased by 16.2% in annual rate, that of those from Germany by 18.% and that of those from France by 17.7%. In the first five months of 2024, the UK was the country with the highest cumulative expenditure (17.1% of the total). It was followed by Germany (13%) and France (7.8%).
4 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
For some time now Britain's have been in a Cost of Living Crisis. So the headline to this Article is very surprising!!!.
Maybe i'm having a senior moment but how on earth can they tell about the expenditure!?!? If I go and spend €100 on a meal in Santa Maria tonight, then another meal in Petra tomorrow, etc, etc, how can that money be attributed to British (or otherwise) expenditure!? How can they know!? My head hurts!!!
Surely you are being ironic.
So analysis of figures, many French visiting Spain but don’t spend much.