SPAIN ACHIEVES RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS IN AUGUST 2014

Source Markets

During August 2014, Spain welcomed more than 2.1 million UK visitors, making the UK the largest international tourism market to the country and representing 23.6% of all international tourists. The monthly figure represented a year on year increase of 5.8%.

In August 2014, France was the second strongest inbound tourism market to Spain, reaching 2 million visitors in a single month for the first time, and accounting for 17% of all international visitors, a 9.4% year on year increase.

In terms of tourism expenditure in Spain, August 2014 saw a total spend of €9 billion, up 8.7% year on year. The UK accounted for the largest part (22.9%), followed by Germany (14.1%) and France (14%).

Cumulatively since January 2014, Spain has welcomed over 45.4 million international tourists, a rise of 7.3% year on year, including over 10.5 million UK visitors (+5.6%). Tourism expenditure in Spain from January 2014 to the end of August 2014 has also grown by 8.7% to €43.5 billion, with the UK accounting for 23.3% (+5.6%), followed by France (16.8%) and Germany (15.7%).

Key Destinations

During August 2014, all Spanish regions saw yearly increases in terms of international visitor numbers, with Madrid and the Canary Islands recording the biggest year on year increase (+19.1% and 12.4% respectively).

In August 2014, Catalonia received the highest number of international visitors (2.4 million), a year on year increase of 7.5%, helped by an increase in French and Italian arrivals. Expenditure in the region also saw a large increase of 6.8%, with a total spend of almost €2.2 billion (representing 24.7% of the total).

Cumulatively from January until the end of August 2014, Catalonia welcomed 11.6 million visitors (+5.6%), representing 23.9% of total international visits. With a total tourism spend of €10.4 billion (+5.6%), Catalonia accounted for 23.9% of Spain’s total tourism expenditure between January and August.

The Balearic Islands received the second highest number of visitors in July, 2.2 million, up 6.2% year on year, mainly fuelled by German, British and, to a lesser extent, Italian arrivals. The region registered a total income of €2.36 billion.

From January until the end of August, the Balearic Islands have welcomed 8.5 million international visits (+2.2%). Total tourism expenditure in the Balearic Islands for the same period was in excess of €7.76 billion (-2.3%), accounting for 17.8% of the total tourism spend.

For August 2014, Andalucía received 1.2 million international arrivals, a 5.6% year on year increase, with the UK being the principal market to the region. Expenditure was also up by 10% year on year, to €1.3 billion.Cumulatively since January 2014, Andalucía has welcomed over 5.9 million international visitors (+13.2%), with expenditure increasing by 14.9% to €6.5 billion.

In August 2014 the Canary Islands welcomed almost 978,000 international visitors (+12.4%). The Canary Islands recorded a total spend of €1.149 in August, an 14.7% increase year on year and 12.6% of the total spend. Since January 2014, the Canary Islands has received more than 7.5 million international visitors (+12.6%) with the total tourism expenditure reaching €8.2 billion (+13.5%).

The Region of Valencia recorded an increase in visitors of 8.1% in August 2014. In terms of spend, it increased by 11.1% to €862,000, accounting for 9.5% of the total spend. Cumulatively from January 2014 until the end of August, Valencia welcomed over 4.4 million visitors (+5.1%).

Madrid and the surroundings recorded a 19.1% increase in visitor arrivals in August 2014, reaching similar figures to those in 2006, and accounting for 3.9% of all visitors. Expenditure in Madrid also increased by 5.3% in August to €478,000.

Cumulatively from January 2014 until the end of August, Madrid and surrounds has welcomed over 3 million visitors, a 8.8% year on year increase and has also recorded an 12.3% increase in expenditure.

The rest of Spain also saw a positive increase in terms of international visitors and tourism expenditure during August 2014

Other key statistics

During August 2014, 72.2% of all international visitors to Spain arrived by plane (+8.3%) whilst road access accounted for 24.6% of all arrivals, a year on year increase of 8.3%.

Whilst most visitors opted for hotel accommodation (54%) in August 2014, rented accommodation saw a year on year increase of nearly 30% and accounted for 18.4% of visits. Cumulatively since January 2014, hotels were the accommodation of choice for 62.2% of visitors.

In terms of types of travel, in August 75.5% of international visitors opted to visit Spain as part of a package holiday (+15%), while 24.5% opted to travel without a package (-6.6%).