SPAIN’S VISITOR FIGURES UP 7% YEAR ON YEAR

Source Markets

During July 2014, Spain welcomed more than 1.9 million UK visitors, making the UK the largest international tourism market to the country and representing 23% of all international tourists. The monthly figure represented a year on year increase of 4.6%.

In July 2014, France was the second strongest inbound tourism market to Spain, accounting for 17% of all international visitors, a 12.4% year on year increase.

In terms of tourism expenditure in Spain, July 2014 saw a total spend of €8.1 billion, up 4.5% year on year. The UK accounted for the largest part (19.6%), followed by Germany (13.1%) and France (10.8%).

Cumulatively since January 2014, Spain has welcomed over 36.3 million international tourists, a rise of 7% year on year, including over 8.4 million UK visitors (+5.5%). Tourism expenditure in Spain from January 2014 to the end of July 2014 has also grown by 7% to €34.5 billion, with the UK accounting for 19.7% (+7.1%), followed by Germany (15.8%) and the Nordic countries (10.6%).

Key destinations

During July 2014, all Spanish regions saw yearly increases in terms of international visitor numbers, with the Canary Islands recording the biggest year on year increase (+8.4%).

In July 2014, Catalonia received the highest number of international visitors (2.1 million), a year on year increase of 2.6%, helped by an increase in French arrivals (+0.9%). Expenditure in the region also saw a large increase of 9.4%, with a total spend of almost €2.2 billion (representing 26.6% of the total).

Cumulatively from January until the end of July 2014, Catalonia welcomed 9.3 million visitors (+5.7%), representing 25.6% of total international visits. With a total tourism spend of €8.1 billion (+5.3%), Catalonia accounted for 23.6% of Spain’s total tourism expenditure between January and July.

The Balearic Islands received the second highest number of visitors in July, 2.1 million, up 3.9% year on year, mainly fuelled by the British market (+4%). However, the region did experience a 5.3% drop in expenditure year on year.

From January until the end of July, the Balearic Islands have welcomed 6.3 million international visits (+0.8%). Total tourism expenditure in the Balearic Islands for the same period was in excess of €5.4 billion (-4.2%), accounting for 15.7% of the total tourism spend.

For July 2014, Andalucía received in excess of 1 million international arrivals, a 7.4% year on year increase, with the UK being the principal market to the region. Expenditure was also up by 6.7% year on year, to €1.2 billion.

Cumulatively since January 2014, Andalucía has welcomed over 4.7 million international visitors (+8.7%), with expenditure increasing by 12.3% to €5.2 billion.

In July 2014 the Canary Islands welcomed almost 915,000 international visitors and saw the largest year on year growth (+8.4%).  UK visitors accounted for 38.5% of the total visits to the region, a 9.2% increase year on year. The Canary Islands recorded a total spend of €987,000 in July, an 8.3% increase year on year and 12.1% of the total spend. Since January 2014, the Canary Islands has received more than 6.5 million international visitors (+11.8%) with the total tourism expenditure reaching €7 billion (+13.1%). 

Valencia recorded an increase in visitors of 0.7% in July 2014, accounting for 10.1% of Spain’s international arrivals. In terms of spend, this dropped by 3.4% to €739,000, but still accounted for 9.1% of the total spend. Cumulatively from January 2014 until the end of July, Valencia welcomed over 3.4 million visitors (+4.3%).

Madrid and the surroundings recorded a 4.7% increase in visitor arrivals in July 2014, accounting for 4.3% of all visitors. Expenditure in Madrid also increased by 1.5% in July to €457,000.

Cumulatively from January 2014 until the end of July, Madrid and surrounds has welcomed over 2.6 million visitors, a 7.6% year on year increase and has also recorded an 11% increase in expenditure.

The rest of Spain also saw a positive increases in terms of international visitors and tourism expenditure during July 2014 (+21.6% and 26.7% respectively).

Other key statistics

During July 2014, 75% of all international visitors to Spain arrived by plane (+3%) whilst road access accounted for 23% of all arrivals, a year on year increase of 13.1%.

Whilst most visitors opted for hotel accommodation (57%) in July 2014, rented accommodation saw a year on year increase of 14.1% and accounted for 13.6% of visits. Cumulatively since January 2014, hotels were the accommodation of choice for 64.4% of visitors.

In terms of types of travel, in July 71.2% of international visitors opted to visit Spain as part of a package holiday (+8%), while 28.8% opted to travel without a package (+1%).