Instituto Nacional de Estadística
The total expenditure of international tourists visiting Spain in December reached 7,093 million euros, an increase of 35.4% when compared to the same month in 2022. This figure stood by 41.6% more than in the same month of 2019.
The average expenditure per tourist stood at 1,362 euros, with an annual increase of 7.3%. On the other hand, the average daily expenditure increased by 2.3%, up to 149 euros.
Annual variation. Percentage
The main sending countries in terms of the level of expenditure in December were the United Kingdom (with 15.3% of the total), Germany (11.2%) and France (8.6%).
The expenditure of tourists from the United Kingdom increased by 28.7% at an annual rate, by those from Germany by 28.8% and by those from France by 17.5%.
Expenditure on activities was the most important item in December, with 23.8% of the total expenditure and an increase of 32.1% compared to the same month in 2022.
The following items were expenditure on international transport (not included in package tours) and maintenance, which accounted for 19.8% and 16.5% of the total, respectively. The former increased by 41.7% and the latter by 35.7%.
50.6% of the total expenditure in December was made by tourists staying at hotels, with an annual rise of 20.6%. On the other hand, expenditure on non-rented accommodation increased by 50.6%.
Expenditure by tourists not travelling with a tourist package increased by 35.7% in the annual rate. For those who contracted a package tour, it increased by 34.4%.
In terms of the reasons for travel, tourists visiting Spain for leisure generated 76.4% of the total expenditure, with a 35.2% higher outlay than in December 2022.
(*): Two main groups of accommodation are distinguished according to whether or not there has been a monetary transaction: market (paid accommodation: hotels, rental accommodation, camping, rural house and other market accommodation) or non-market (owned housing, family and friends housing and other non-market accommodation).
The Autonomous Communities of main destination with the greatest proportion of total tourist expenditure in December were Canarias (with 29.5% of the total), Cataluña (17.3%) and Comunidad de Madrid (15.0%). Tourist spending increased by 25.0% in annual rate in the Canary Islands, 39.4% in Catalonia and 39.2% in the Community of Madrid.
The total expenditure of non-resident tourists visiting Spain in 2023 came to 108,662 million euros, representing an increase of 24.7% when compared with 2022. If this figure is compared with 2019, total expenditure was 18.2% higher.
Millions of euros
The country accounting for the most expenditure in 2023 was the United Kingdom, with 19,947 million euros, 16.3% more than in 2023.
It was followed by Germany (with 12,978 million euros and an increase of 12.6%) and France (with 9,767 million, 19.7% more).
The autonomous communities attracting the highest total expenditure in 2023 were Cataluña (with 20,878 million, 26.7% more than in 2022), Canarias (with 20,334 million and an increase of 16.5%) and Illes Balears (with 17,722 million, 16.4% more than in 2022).
Percentage.
The data published today is provisional and will be revised in March. These results are available at INEBase.
The main objective of the Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGATUR) is to obtain monthly information on the tourist expenditure made by non-residents in Spain in their trips to our country.
For the preparation of EGATUR the international definitions and recommendations of the UNWTO and Eurostat in this field are followed.
For more information you can access the methodology and the standardized methodological report.
INE statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Good Practice for European Statistics. More information in Quality at INE and the Code of Best Practices.
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