Spain is approaching the record number of tourists in 2019. 37.4 million visitors arrived in the country between January and June 2023, compared to 38.1 million in the same period in 2019, according to data published this Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics. (INE). By territories, Catalonia was the community that received the most tourists in the first half of the year, with almost 7.9 million arrivals, which represented an increase of 30.5% compared to the same period in 2022; followed by the Canary Islands, with almost 6.8 million and an increase of 18.5%; and the Balearic Islands, with almost 5.7 million, 9.8% more.
These are not record figures in terms of visitor volume, but tourist spending does reach all-time highs in the series. In the first quarter of 2023, total spending was 46,011 million, 28.3% more than in the same period last year and 14.3% above 2019.
Only in June, the average expenditure per tourist was 1,275 euros, 5.9% more than the same month in 2022, while the average daily expenditure was 188 euros per visitor, 7.9% more.
The acting Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, assured this morning that "the excellent data on the increase in tourist spending, together with the very good number of tourist arrivals, shows the success of the Government's commitment to quality and excellence to continue as world leaders in tourism”.
The United Kingdom continues to be the main country that sends tourists to Spain. In June alone, almost 2 million Britons arrived in Spain, representing 23.8% of the total and an increase of 9.6% compared to June 2022. Germany and France are the next countries with the most tourists who visited Spain. Germany contributed 1.1 million (1.3% more in annual rate) and France, almost one million (6.4% more).
The growth in the number of tourists from the United States deserves special mention, which has increased by 41.7% since June 2022. This increase in American visitors was already highlighted a few days ago by the employers' association Exceltur, which is perceiving how travelers from from the North American country have greater purchasing power, and therefore raise their average spending, and cross the Atlantic to spend more days in Europe.
In the month of June, the Balearic Islands was the main tourist destination, with 2.1 million travelers. One in four visitors opted for the Mediterranean islands. They are followed by Catalonia, with 21.9% of the total. And Andalusia, with 13.9%.
As for the Catalan community, the number of tourists increased by 11.6% in June, to over 1.8 million. 14.9% traveled from France and 13.8% from the United Kingdom.
In the Community of Madrid, tourism grew by 23.1% in interannual terms during the month of June; 10.4% in the Valencian Community and 5.2% in the Canary Islands.
