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%).
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Apparently there are 3 in Mallorca, with a new one under construction, 3 in Ibiza and 1 in Menorca and Formentera.
MallorquinAgreed, but I don't know about 19 euro flights and 35 euro per day All-in. Maybe Calas de Mallorca still has that, but I seriously doubt it (but it would explain why it's apparently still a British enclave). And no, this is not the type of tourism that Mallorca should be shooting for. @tawny. - I know of one desalinsation plant not far from the airport. I'm not aware of any others. But it's true - they're expensive to operate.
MallorquinThis is interesting as i have been trying to establish how many desalination plants there are on the island - can you tell me? I totally agree with your comment about there being enough water for residents and this is why i hold a strong view about the hotel sector paying for desalination plants for their resorts. There is no justification for why ALL of the major resorts have not invested in desalination. Most of the Middle East countries rely heavily on desalinated water - maybe Mallorca should learn something from them! Also, your comment about the cheap tourism just backfires to the question - why has it been allowed!? If it doesn't cover infrastructure costs and puts a strain on the local population, why has it been allowed to continue? Once again, its government and mismanagement, and most likely corruption. Its the same issue in the UK. Turds floating in the sea and rivers, water company bosses earning HUGE salaraies and dividends, whilst us proles have to just put up and shut up. Greed is the driver here. I can only put my faith in karma and hope that us mere minions aren't made to suffer much more!
Morgan WilliamsMallorca is NOT expensive, it is worth what you pay. Nobody thinks about how expensive it is to maintain a quality standard. There is enough water for the island's population, but not enough for millions of tourists in summer. We have to desalinate sea water which is a very expensive process and consumes a lot of energy, police services, quality healthcare, good roads, water purification so that the sea water is crystal clear, street cleaning and many more things that come from the taxes of the Mallorcans. If you happen to arrive in Mallorca on a tourism holiday, a flight can cost 19 euros and a stay in an all-inclusive hotel for 35 euros per day. This type of tourism does not cover maintenance costs. This tourism is NOT of interest in Mallorca.
Richard PearsonWell, obviously, if you read the (British ) narratives here, Mallorca is horribly expensive. Although perhaps you wouldn't know it, but outside of Calvia, things are quite a bit less expensive than say, England or Germany or Switzerland. But the *quality* of accommodation is much higher, which is what the rest of the world cares about. Brits generally don't care about that. The cheapest is what's important. But it has to be British, even if it's more expensive, which they probably don't even know about... Like you You don't need to take my word for it. Look at the most popular British resorts. Almost all of them are down-market cheap stuff like benidorm and torremolinos, and previously, Magaluf, but now Magaluf is trying to attract a better quality of tourist. But that's how cheapness became a typical British stereotype. I suggest not doing that if you don't like it.
Williams, Which “exclusive” and “expensive” destinations are you referring to ? By the way, I was pretty sure you would swallow the irony bait.
Here's irony for you: According to this article, which only compares the estimated amount spent compared to one or another nationality, Brits are the "biggest spenders"... ...yet historically, Brits dominate the cheapest destinations, while other nationalities dominate the more exclusive and more expensive destinations. And as expressed here continuously, on a british-centric publication, Brits consistently complain about price, seek the cheapest, and claim "price is king" and moan repeatedly about how expensive everything is (compared to say, cheap destinations like Greece), and always threatening to go where it's cheaper. The important thing to Brits is always price. Biggest spenders? Back when sterling was strong, it used to be common to inflate prices in British resorts because British tourists didn't really bother to calculate the exchange rate. I don't know if that's still true, but many narratives here tell of absolutely outrageous prices in places they frequent - far beyond anything you'll find elsewhere, and frankly, a bit unbelievable. Biggest spenders? Not sure about that. Maybe just not the smartest spenders?
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.