The Diplomat
Spain received last June the visit of 7.5 million international tourists, which is three times (236.6%) the figure recorded in the same month of 2021, when 2.2 million foreign tourists arrived, according to data published on Tuesday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).
These tourists made an expenditure in our country that reached 8,993 million euros, which represents an increase of 271.3% compared to the same month of 2021, when it stood at 2,422 million euros. With this new upturn in June, both the arrival of international tourists and their spending in Spain have now accumulated twelve consecutive months of year-on-year increases after the hiatus caused by the coronavirus, reports Europa Press.
In the first six months of 2022 the number of tourists visiting Spain increased by 457% exceeding 30.2 million, a figure six times higher than that recorded in the same period of 2021 when, even with restrictions due to the pandemic, a total of 5.4 million tourists arrived in our country.
The main countries of origin in the first half of 2022 were the United Kingdom (with nearly 6.5 million tourists and an annual increase of 2,253.5%), Germany (with almost 4.4 million, and an increase of 272.4%) and France (with more than 3.9 million, up 232.8%).
In June, the United Kingdom was the main country of origin of foreign tourists to our country, with 1.8 million, representing 24.2% of the total and an increase of 1,165.9% compared to June 2021. Germany and France were the following countries that sent the most tourists. Specifically, Germany contributed 1.1 million tourists, while France contributed 865,973 (up 97.4%).
Among the other countries of residence, the annual growth of tourists from Ireland (1,424.3%), the United States (806.8%) and the Nordic countries (239.7%) stands out. The main destination for tourists visiting Spain in June was the Balearic Islands, which accounted for 26.3% of the total. It was followed by Catalonia (21.6%) and Andalusia (13.5%).
Almost 2 million tourists came to the Balearic Islands, 198.5% more than in 2021, the main countries of residence of these tourists being Germany (31.6% of the total) and the United Kingdom (27%). The number of tourists visiting Catalonia increased by 298.3% to 1.6 million, while just over one million tourists arrived in Andalusia, representing an annual increase of 240.9%.
The number of tourists also increased in the other regions: 335.1% in the Community of Madrid, 306.9% in the Canary Islands and 207.9% in the Community of Valencia.
In the first six months, the communities that received the most tourists were Catalonia (more than 6 million and an increase of 517.6% compared to 2021), the Canary Islands (with more than 5.7 million and an increase of 662.5%) and the Balearic Islands (with almost 5.2 million, an increase of 314.1%).
Airports were the preferred means of entry into Spain in June with 6.4 million arrivals, an annual increase of 273.3%. By road 92.4% more tourists arrived, by rail 178.2% more and by port 819.5% more.
The number of tourists using market accommodation as their main mode of accommodation in June increased by 274.4% in annual rate. Within this type of accommodation, hotel accommodation grew by 280.2% and rented accommodation by 225.2%. Non-market accommodation increased by 104.3%. Tourists staying with relatives or friends increased by 133.3% and those staying in rented accommodation by 69.8%.
According to INE data, leisure, recreation and holidays was the main reason for 6.6 million tourists travelling to Spain, representing an annual increase of 273.4%. Business tourists came 430,294 (126.2% more) and for other reasons 399,291 (59.5% more).
The INE data show that 5.6 million tourists travelled to our country without a tourist package, which represents an annual increase of 202.9%. With package tours, almost 1.9 million tourists arrived, an increase of 404.7%.
The increase in the number of tourists continues to result in an increase in spending. The average expenditure per tourist in June was 1,205 euros, an annual increase of 10.3%. The average daily expenditure grew by 18.6% to 174 euros.
During the first six months of 2022, total expenditure by international tourists increased by 515.5% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 35,769 million euros. INE data show that the average duration of trips by international tourists is almost 7 days, which is 0.5 days less than in June 2021.
The countries that spent the most in Spain in June were the United Kingdom (with 21.6% of the total), Germany (13.8%) and France (7.1%). Spending by tourists residing in the United Kingdom increased by 1,183.9% in annual terms, that of those from Germany by 124.3% and that of those from France by 110.1%.
In the first six months of 2022, the UK was also the country with the highest cumulative expenditure (19.9% of the total). It is followed by Germany (14.2%) and France (8.1%). The autonomous communities of main destination with the greatest weight in tourist spending in June were the Balearic Islands (with 24.2% of the total), Catalonia (20.6%) and Andalusia (13.1%).
Tourist expenditure increased by 194.8% in annual rate in the Balearic Islands, by 377.2% in Catalonia and by 286.7% in Andalusia.
Spending on activities was the main item in June, with 21.1% of total spending (+268% compared to 2021). The following items were spending on international transport (not included in package tours) and spending on accommodation, with 20.1% and 18% of the total, respectively. The former increased by 306.5% in annual rate and the latter by 270.6%.
67.9% of total expenditure in June was made by tourists staying overnight in hotel accommodation, with an annual increase of 322.3%. Spending in non-market accommodation grew by 130.8%.
Spending by non-package tourists (75.8% of the total) rose by 242.2% in annual terms, while spending by package tourists increased by 406.9%. In terms of the reason for the trip, tourists visiting Spain for leisure generated 87% of the total expenditure (with an outlay 317.1% higher than in June 2021).
As a result, the total number of overnight stays made by international tourists in all types of Spanish accommodation (hotels, flats, own home, home of family or friends, rented accommodation) stood at over 51.5 million, with an increase of 213.1%.
The Balearic Islands was the Community with the most overnight stays (with 12 million, 157.6% more than in June 2021). It was followed by Catalonia (with nearly 9 million and an increase of 297.8%) and Andalusia (with nearly 8.3 million, an increase of 226.5%).
