INE data show Spain welcomed 4.3 million international visitors in February, a 35.9 percent rise from the same month in 2022. Tourists spent 5.326 billion euros, up 41.1 percent year over year.
Early in the year, Spain experienced a strong tourism rebound. A total of 8.5 million visitors arrived in the first two months, marking a 49.1 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
Spending followed the upturn. In the first two months, international tourism expenditure reached 10.544 billion euros, up 54.7 percent from the previous year. When compared with 2019, this figure is 12.9 percent higher.
For Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Hector Gomez, the start of the year has been outstanding and the sector stands on the threshold of a peak week where occupancy and expenditure records may be broken.
The United Kingdom remains the largest source market for Spain, contributing 18.2 percent of arrivals. February brought 784,496 British visitors, a 35.6 percent year over year increase.
France and Germany followed, contributing 23.8 percent and 30.9 percent year over year increases respectively, with 636,530 and 509,883 visitors. Other notable growth came from the United States, Italy, and Switzerland, showing double-digit gains in each case.
In the first two months of 2023, Spain hosted 8.5 million visitors, 49.1 percent higher than 2022, yet still 1.3 percent below the 2019 level before the pandemic.
Primary source markets for tourist arrivals in that period included the United Kingdom with over 1.5 million visitors, France with more than 1.1 million, and Germany with 988,142 visitors, reflecting strong year over year gains.
Canary Islands Remain the Favorite Destination
INE data confirm that the Canary Islands have once again become the top destination for international travelers, accounting for 28.5 percent of all visitors. Catalonia and Andalusia follow with 21.4 percent and 14.2 percent respectively.
More than 1.2 million tourists visited the Canary Islands, a 27.1 percent rise from February 2022. The main countries of origin were the United Kingdom and Germany, together representing a majority share of arrivals.
Catalonia saw a 49.3 percent increase to 924,464 visitors, with France and the UK contributing significant shares. Andalusia hosted 611,588 visitors, up 43.9 percent, with the UK and Nordic countries among the main origins.
Across the rest of the communities, tourist numbers rose sharply, led by the Canary Islands, Catalonia, and Andalusia, each posting double-digit gains year over year.
In the first two months of 2023, the Canary Islands hosted more than 2.4 million visitors, up 40.9 percent; Catalonia about 1.7 million, up 58.9 percent; and Andalusia nearly 1.2 million, up 58.1 percent.
Most visitors arrived by air, totaling 3.6 million and up 38.4 percent year over year. Road travel increased by 23 percent, rail by 55.1 percent, and port arrivals by 63 percent.
February hotel stays rose 26.2 percent while rental housing surged 80.2 percent. Visits to relatives or friends grew by 45.1 percent and residents in owned homes increased by 35.3 percent.
Entertainment, leisure, and holidays were the primary trip purpose for 3.5 million travelers in February, up 33.3 percent, while work and other professional reasons reached 376,394 arrivals, up 65.5 percent.
INE data show around 3.4 million travelers did not travel with a tourist package in February, up 35.3 percent, while 922,020 traveled with a tourist package, up 38.2 percent.
Spending Trends and Expenditure Patterns
February saw average spending per tourist rise, reaching about 1,233 euros, an annual increase of 3.8 percent. Average daily spending climbed 19.2 percent to 163 euros, aided by a shorter average trip length of 7.6 days, down 1.1 days from February 2022.
Overall, international tourist expenditure for the year so far rose 54.7 percent to 10.544 billion euros, compared with the same period last year. Relative to the pre-pandemic 2019 baseline, this figure is 12.9 percent higher.
The United Kingdom contributed the largest share of spending at 15.8 percent, followed by Germany at 11.7 percent and the Nordic countries at 8.8 percent. In the first two months of 2023 the United Kingdom also led in cumulative spending, accounting for 16 percent of the total, with Germany and Nordic countries following.
Among autonomous communities, the Canary Islands accounted for 33.7 percent of tourist spending, Catalonia for 17.5 percent, and Madrid for 13.6 percent. Canary Islands posting a 27.6 percent year-on-year rise, Catalonia 59.3 percent, and Madrid 80.2 percent in spending.
February expenditure was driven mainly by operating costs, which represented 22.8 percent of total expenditures, rising 37.6 percent from February 2022. International transport and accommodation followed with 22.1 percent and 16.2 percent respectively, the first up 72.8 percent and the second up 28.8 percent.
Overnight visitors accounted for 58.1 percent of total expenditure, with hotel stays rising 40.8 percent. Expenditure on non-market accommodations rose 27.9 percent, while visits to homes of relatives or friends rose 45.1 percent.
Tourists not traveling on a package accounted for 78.9 percent of total expenditure, rising 40.4 percent year over year, while those on packaged tours increased by 44 percent.