Spain receives 66.5 million international tourists until September, 570,000 less than in 2019, but with record spending

2023-11-02 17:26:13

The Spanish tourism sector closes its best summer season since the pandemic, especially in terms of cash, with 84.6 billion spent until September, 15% more than in 2019 and a new record. Although the number of foreign tourists has not yet reached maximum levels, spending is regaining momentum and far exceeds the previous milestone recorded before Covid due to price increases, according to data published this Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). . With all this, companies in the sector are heading towards the final stretch of the year that could break records.

Specifically, Spain received visits from 8.8 million international tourists in September, 13.6% more than in the same month of 2022, but 0.2% below the same month in 2019, before the pandemic. , when 8.9 million foreigners visited Spain. With these data, the total number of tourists who passed through our country during the first nine months of the year amounts to 66.5 million, 18.8% more than in 2022, when 56 million arrived.

If the figure is compared with the accumulated figure for the first nine months of 2019 (67.09 million), the arrival of tourists is 0.6% lower, 568,161 fewer people, despite this and looking at flight reservations and hotels already carried out for November and December, the sector anticipates that at the end of the year the historical milestone of 83.7 million travelers reached in 2019 could be surpassed.

As for spending, the record is assured. The total expenditure made by international tourists who visited Spain in September reached 11,215 million euros, which represents an increase of 22.6% compared to the same month in 2022 and this figure is also 16.6% above the same month of 2019 (9,706 million), due to the effect of inflation, which has also had an impact on the accumulated figure for the year. Until September, total spending by international tourists reached 84,608 million, 24% more than in 2022 and 15.1% more than in 2019 (73,830 million). With three months left to close 2023, everything indicates that the maximum spending figure of 92,278 million reached in 2019 will be beaten.

The main issuing countries in the first nine months of 2023 were the United Kingdom (with almost 13.8 million tourists and an annual increase of 14.6%), France (almost 9.4 million and an increase of 18% compared to 2022) and Germany (with almost 8.5 million, 9.6% more). Regarding destinations, the communities that receive the most tourists are Catalonia (with almost 14.2 million and an increase of 22.2% compared to the same period in 2022), the Balearic Islands (with almost 12.6 million and an increase of 8.6%) and the Canary Islands (with almost 10 million, 14.1% more). As for the month of September, the Balearic Islands was the main destination, with 23.4% of the total, followed by Catalonia (20.7%) and Andalusia (14.9%) and the rebound in the United States stood out, with 430,220 traveler, 27.4% more than in 2022.

The majority of tourists who visited Spain in September arrived by plane (7.3 million, 12.1% more than in 2022). 11.4% more tourists arrived by road (1.16 million), by rail 24.9% more (34,880) and by port 78% more (320,782). Regarding the type of accommodation, 7.65 million stayed in hotels, rental apartments or other market accommodation, which represents an increase of 12.5% ​​in the annual rate. For their part, tourists who stayed in non-market accommodation (home ownership, home of family or friends and others) amounted to 1.17 million, 21.2% more.

Regarding the stay, the majority duration among tourists in September was four to seven days, with more than 4.3 million visitors and an annual increase of 13.3%. In addition, it is also worth noting that the number of visitors who do not spend the night (excursionists) increases by 24.7% (3.71 million), while those who stay the most, more than 15 nights, increase by 16.6% to 544,581 .

The average expenditure per tourist in September was about 1,271 euros, with an annual increase of 7.9% and 14.11% compared to 2019 (1,089 euros). For its part, average daily spending grew by 8.8% compared to 2022, up to 185 euros. In 2019, it amounted to 151 euros. By country, the British were the ones who spent the most in September (20.1% of the total), followed by the Germans (13.5%) and the French (7.3%), a same order that is repeated in the accumulated spending up to September. As for the communities that perceived the greatest weight of spending, they coincided with the most visited: Balearic Islands (with 22.4% of the total), Catalonia (19%) and Andalusia (14.6%).

By items, spending on activities was the concept to which international tourists allocated the largest budget in September, with 20.5% of total spending and an increase of 22.9% compared to the same month of 2022. The following items were spending on a tourist package and spending on international transportation (not included in a tourist package), with 19.7% and 19% of the total, respectively. The first increased by 19.3% in annual rate and the second by 29.6%. Accommodation only accounted for 16.31% of the budget.