The tourism sector has shown strong resilience after the epidemic, a trend supported by recent data presented at Fitur. At the Valencian Community stand in Madrid, Tourism Minister Nuria Montes shared encouraging figures during the fair, running from today through January 28 at IFEMA. The region welcomed more than 10 million international visitors last year, with the Valencian Community recording 10.2 million foreign arrivals. This marks an increase of around half a million visitors compared with 2019, the year before the Covid-19 downturn. Montes presented this data as part of a broader narrative about a sustained recovery in a critical regional industry. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
“We broke nearly all records,” Montes stated, highlighting an overall tourist satisfaction rating of 9.2 and signaling progress toward a perfect score. She underscored the sector as the true engine of the Valencian economy, underscoring its vital role and impact on growth and employment. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Forecasts for 2024 remain optimistic. Turisme Comunitat Valenciana projects a 10% year-over-year rise in the turnover of Valencian tourism companies, based on the latest industry report. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Looking back at 2023, the region handled 28.5 million passengers, combining international arrivals and local residents, up from 26.6 million in 2022. When compared with pre-pandemic levels, sales have risen by about 16.6%, while tourist spending surged by 23.4%. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Tourism’s growing share of Valencia’s GDP
These results mean that over four years, despite pandemic disruptions and border restrictions, tourism’s contribution to Valencia’s GDP climbed from 15.7% to 16%, reinforcing its position as a central economic driver. Employment in the sector also expanded, rising 6.24% in 2023, from 188,708 jobs in 2022 to 200,481 in 2023. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Turisme’s report also shows that Valencia airports handled 26 million passengers for departures and arrivals combined, a 21% increase. In this context, Mazón stressed that expanding Valencia Airport and adding a second runway at Alicante Airport are essential to sustain momentum. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Genralitat president Carlos Mazón emphasized the need to enhance Manises Airport and the Alicante second runway to avoid bottlenecks as demand grows. He noted that the year 2023 was very strong and predicted 2024 would be even better, with the Valencian Community welcoming travelers with fewer tax or duty burdens. Nuria Montes echoed the sentiment, expressing relief at the tax relief and highlighting ongoing sustainability efforts. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Montes also acknowledged the tourism sector’s efforts in the face of inflation, pointing out that price growth in tourism rose less than energy prices and much less than consumer goods, which helped keep prices manageable. She stressed the importance of presenting tourism in a fair light and prioritized sustainability as a key concern for the industry. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]
Among international markets, the French market was the strongest growth driver last year, though the United Kingdom remains the largest source of foreign visitors. Montes also highlighted the potential of North American tourism for the future, signaling opportunities for Canada and the United States as demand from those markets grows. [Source: Turisme Comunitat Valenciana]