Spain extends the contract Explosion in foreign tourist arrivals outside the busy summer season and one step away from confirmation 2023 will be a record year. A total of 79.85 million tourists came to the country between January and November; This is above pre-covid levels in 2019 (0.8% more) and increases the cumulative figure over the same period by 18.2% on last year. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
The sector is accumulating three consecutive months above previous record arrival data Pandemic. Between September and November, following the peak months of the summer season, the number of international tourists exceeds 2019 figures. And while the country awaits the release of official data for December, it is on track to exceed historical records for the entire year. It will be released within a few weeks and tourism companies predict that this number will increase. Good behavior of demand on the big bridge at the beginning of the month and during Christmas.
The tourism industry predicts that foreign tourist arrivals throughout the year will exceed the historical maximum level reached before the pandemic. 83.7 million international travelers in 2019. Last year, Spanish tourism had already begun a strong recovery after a total collapse caused by restrictions on mobility to combat the pandemic. Arrivals of foreign travelers in 2022 reached 71.5 million, recovering 85% of pre-Covid levels and increasing tourist figures by 130% from just 31 million in 2021.
Also out of summer
“Tourist arrivals and spending to the destination accelerated significantly in the second half of the year, especially to the destination. Double-digit growth occurred in months historically considered low seasonThe new Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, emphasized that this has a very positive impact on the national economy, both in terms of GDP and employment.
In fact, in November – a month outside the traditional high summer season – 5.1 million international tourists arrived in Spain; this was 18.6% more than in October 2022 and also 10.5% more than in pre-Covid November 2019. moving towards the desired deseasonalization of activity.
main donor countries In the first eleven months of 2023, these countries are the United Kingdom (with more than 16.4 million tourists and an increase of 14.4% year on year), France (almost 11 million and 16.5% more) and Germany (with more than 10.2 million tourists, 9.9% more). ). Between January and November, Catalonia was the most visited community with 17 million travelers and 21% more visitors; Balearic Islands (14.2 million and 8.9% more) and Canary Islands (12.6 million travelers and 13.1% more).
record spending
What tourists visiting Spain do Expenses incurred during the organization of the trip and your stay in the country 101.569 million The euro, a new record, after exceeding last year’s data by 24% and pre-pandemic records by 17% between January and November, according to INE data. Expenditures of tourists are increasing rapidly due to the explosion in the number of incoming tourists and the increase in the number of tourists at the same time. rising prices He said the industry took action.
Average expenditure per traveler and average accommodation, two data showing that tourism is of higher quality in our country, also present significant figures. Every tourist spent one average 1,294 euros In November, it was 4.2% more than last year. Daily spending also reflects this growth; 173 euros, 4.1% more than a year ago.
While the National Institute of Statistics prepares the Egatur tourist expenditure survey, the Bank of Spain calculates the volume of tourism income in the country based on the balance of payments. There is always a difference between both data (income of one and expenses of the other). millionaire gap. And the fact is that in the INE research all expenses incurred by travelers are calculated, not only the expenses they make in Spain and which have a direct impact on our economy, but also the transportation costs that can be incurred at a certain cost. foreign airmail.. Shipping costs are not included in case of balance of payments.
According to the latest balance of payments data of the Bank of Spain at the end of October, the income obtained from tourism, which is spent by international travelers during their stay in the country and has a significant impact on the Spanish economy, is 74 million 000 million dollars. In the first ten months of the year, the euro was 22% more than in the same period last year (60.7 billion) and also 16.7% more than before covid in 2019 (63.4 billion). Data from INE’s Egatur for October showed that accumulated expenses for these nine months amounted to 94 billion 916 million euros.