Spain received more than 74.7 million international tourists during the first ten months of the year, 1.1% more than in the same period of 2018, while spending increased 2.9% to 82,197 million euros. These are the main data of the surveys on Tourist Movements in Frontier (FRONTUR) and Tourism Expenditure (EGATUR) prepared by the National Statistics Institute.
During the month of October, 7.6 million tourists visited our country, which represents a decrease of 0.3% compared to October 2018. Its expenditure was 8,367 million euros, 2.5% more. The average daily expenditure stood at 161 euros (+ 6.5%).
The Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, considers these data positive to endorse the Government's commitment to increase profitability through the diversification of issuing markets and the enhancement of Spain's wide tourism offer. “It is very noteworthy that tourism spending increases more than double the flow of visitors. Once again the sector continues to show its strength despite the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook and the uncertainties of the international market. ”
Arrival of tourists
In the accumulated year, the main emitting markets were the United Kingdom, with more than 16.4 million international tourists, 1.9% less than the previous year; Germany, with 10.1 million (-1.9%), and France, with more than 10 million tourists, (-2.3%). Among the other countries of residence, the growth experienced by the United States (+ 12.7%), Russia (+ 8.4%) and Portugal (+ 7.1%) should be noted.
By national destinations, Catalonia was the community that received the most tourists, more than 17.3 million, which represents an increase of 0.7%. It was followed by the Balearic Islands (with almost 13.4 million and a decrease of 0.8%) and Andalucía (with more than 10.9 million, 3.6% more). It also highlights the growth of Madrid, which increases 7.2% the number of tourists received (almost 6.5 million). On the contrary, the Canary Islands fell 4.8% due to the effect of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook, which coincided with the high season on the islands.
Increase in spending
From January to October, the main destination autonomous communities with the highest total expenditure were Catalonia (with € 19,282 M and an increase of 4.8%), Balearic Islands (with € 14,546 M, 1.1% more than in the same period of 2018), and the Canary Islands (with € 13,892 M, a decrease of 0.7%).
As for the issuing countries, the United Kingdom has the highest accumulated expenditure so far this year with € 16,379 M (+ 1.0%). It is followed by Germany, with € 10,525 million (-2.3%) and France, with € 6,895 million (+ 1.8%).