4 March 2024

Tourist Movements at Borders (FRONTUR)

January 2024. Provisional data

Main results

Spain received 4.8 million international tourists in January, 15.3% more than in the same month of 2023.
The United Kingdom was the country of residence with the most tourists and Canarias was the main destination chosen.

More information

Tables annex (includes information on Autonomous Communities)
Advanced query system
Infographic: Tourism indicators

In January, Spain received 4.8 million international tourists, 15.3% more than in the same month of 2023.

International tourists arrivals by months. January 2024

Annual variation. Percentage

{
    "mode": "chart",
    "type": "barrasprensa",
    "width": "170mm",
    "height": "90mm",
    "legend": false,
    "valueAxis": false,
    "tags": true,
    "series": [
        {
            "label": "Annual Variation(%)"
        }
    ],
    "ticks": [
        "January 2023",
        "February 2023",
        "March 2023",
        "April 2023",
        "May 2023",
        "June 2023",
        "July 2023",
        "August 2023",
        "September 2023",
        "October 2023",
        "November 2023",
        "December 2023",
        "January 2024"
    ],
    "values": [
        [
            "65.3",
            "35.9",
            "29.9",
            "18.4",
            "18.8",
            "10.8",
            "11.3",
            "15.1",
            "13.2",
            "14.1",
            "18.5",
            "26.2",
            "15.3"
        ]
    ],
    "ratioMargen": 0.05,
    "angleTick": "-90",
    "angleTag": "0",
    "colors": [
        "#457E76",
        "#A45C0A",
        "#0071AD",
        "#756F0F",
        "#C33C9D",
        "#677746"
    ],
    "config": {
        "marcaTick": {
            "color": "#9e1834",
            "value": "January 2024"
        }
    }
}

The United Kingdom was the main country of residence, with over 833,416 million tourists and an increase of 12.3% compared to January 2023. There were 571,774 tourists from France (18.0% more) and 551,305 from Germany (14.9% more).

International tourists arrivals (*) by country of residence. January 2024

{
    "mode": "table",
    "category": [
      "Monthly data",
      "Accumulated data",
      "Absolute value",
      "Annual variation (%)",
      "TOTAL",
      "Germany",
      "Belgium",
      "France",
      "Ireland",
      "Italy",
      "Netherlands",
      "Portugal",
      "United Kingdom",
      "Switzerland",
      "Nordic Countries",
      "Rest of Europe (**)",
      "United States",
      "Rest of America",
      "Rest of the world"
    ],
    "col": [
      [
        "0",
        "2"
      ],
      [
        "",
        "3"
      ],
      [
        "1",
        "2"
      ],
    [
        "",
        "3"
      ]
    ],
    "row": [
      [
        "4"
      ],
      [
        "5"
      ],
      [
        "6"
      ],
      [
        "7"
      ],
      [
        "8"
    ],
        [
            "9"
        ],
        [
            "10"
        ],
        [
            "11"
        ],
        [
            "12"
        ],
        [
            "13"
        ],
        [
            "14"
        ],
        [
            "15"
        ],
        [
            "16"
        ],
        [
            "17"
        ],
        [
            "18"
        ]
    ],
    "data": [
        "4,768,171",
        "15.3",
        "4,768,171",
        "15.3",
        "551,305",
        "14.9",
        "551,305",
        "14.9",
        "155,367",
        "14.3",
        "155,367",
        "14.3",
        "571,774",
        "18.0",
        "571,774",
        "18.0",
        "146,667",
        "26.9",
        "146,667",
        "26.9",
        "325,402",
        "15.9",
        "325,402",
        "15.9",
        "216,489",
        "5.8",
        "216,489",
        "5.8",
        "126,236",
        "-10.1",
        "126,236",
        "-10.1",
        "833,416",
        "12.3",
        "833,416",
        "12.3",
        "111,913",
        "32.1",
        "111,913",
        "32.1",
        "370,600",
        "8.0",
        "370,600",
        "8.0",
        "538,928",
        "12.7",
        "538,928",
        "12.7",
        "172,901",
        "23.7",
        "172,901",
        "23.7",
        "354,866",
        "23.8",
        "354,866",
        "23.8",
        "292,308",
        "33.9",
        "292,308",
        "33.9"
    ],
    "title": "",
    "leftSideCols": 1,
    "rowsHeader": 2
}

(*) Does not include transit travellers or same-day visitors (excursionists).

(**) Includes Russia’s estimation.

Main type of accommodation and other characteristics of the trips

The number of tourists choosing market accommodation as the main type of accommodation increased by 15.2% in the annual rate. Within this type, hotel accommodation grew by 11.4% and rented dwellings by 49.1%.

Non-market accommodation increased by 15.5%.

International tourist arrivals by type of accommodation. January 2024

{
    "mode": "table",
    "category": [
        "Monthly data",
        "Accumulated data",
        "Absolute value",
        "Annual change (%)",
        "TOTAL",
        "Rented accommodation",
        "Rented accommodation",
        "Hotel accomodation",
        "Rental housing",
        "Rest rented accommodation",
        "Non-rented accommodation",
        "Vacation home ownership",
        "Home of family or friends",
        "Rest non rented accommodation"
    ],
    "col": [
        [
            "0",
            "2"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "3"
        ],
        [
            "1",
            "2"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "3"
        ]
    ],
    "row": [
        [
            "4",
            ""
        ],
        [
            "5",
            "6"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "7"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "8"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "9"
        ],
        [
            "10",
            "10"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "11"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "12"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "13"
        ]
    ],
    "data": [
        "4,768,171",
        "15.3",
        "4,768,171",
        "15.3",
        "3,435,277",
        "15.2",
        "3,435,277",
        "15.2",
        "2,683,833",
        "11.4",
        "2,683,833",
        "11.4",
        "590,454",
        "49.1",
        "590,454",
        "49.1",
        "160,991",
        "-8.6",
        "160,991",
        "-8.6",
        "1,332,894",
        "15.5",
        "1,332,894",
        "15.5",
        "322,645",
        "8.6",
        "322,645",
        "8.6",
        "948,633",
        "16.1",
        "948,633",
        "16.1",
        "61,615",
        "56.2",
        "61,615",
        "56.2"
    ],
    "title": "",
    "leftSideCols": 2,
    "rowsHeader": 2
}

A stay of four to seven nights was the main length among tourists, with more than 2.1 million and an annual increase of 18.2%. The number of visitors increased by 3.6% among those without overnight stays (excursionists) and increased by 9.0% among tourists with longer duration (more than 15 nights).

Almost 3.8 million tourists travelled without a tourist package in January, an increase of 15.3%. Almost 1.0 million travelled with a tourist package, 15.4% more.

Autonomous communities of main destination

Canarias was the main tourist destination in January, with 27.7% of the total. It was followed by Cataluña (20.1%) and Andalucía (14.0%).

9.2% more tourists visited Canarias than in January 2023. The number of tourists who visited Cataluña increased by 20.3% and those who visited Andalucía rose by 17.4%.

International tourist arrivals by main Autonomous Community of destination. Monthly and cumulative data. January 2024

{
    "mode": "table",
    "category": [
        "Monthly data",
        "Accumulated data",
        "Absolute value",
        "Annual change (%)",
        "TOTAL",
        "Andalucía",
        "Balears, Illes",
        "Canarias",
        "Cataluña",
        "Comunitat Valenciana",
        "Madrid, Comunidad de",
        "Rest of AC's"
    ],
    "col": [
        [
            "0",
            "2"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "3"
        ],
        [
            "1",
            "2"
        ],
        [
            "",
            "3"
        ]
    ],
    "row": [
        [
            "4"
        ],
        [
            "5"
        ],
        [
            "6"
        ],
        [
            "7"
        ],
        [
            "8"
        ],
        [
            "9"
        ],
        [
            "10"
        ],
        [
            "11"
        ]
    ],
    "data": [
        "4,768,171",
        "15.3",
        "4,768,171",
        "15.3",
        "666,363",
        "17.4",
        "666,363",
        "17.4",
        "139,268",
        "9.0",
        "139,268",
        "9.0",
        "1,321,100",
        "9.2",
        "1,321,100",
        "9.2",
        "958,726",
        "20.3",
        "958,726",
        "20.3",
        "619,718",
        "29.1",
        "619,718",
        "29.1",
        "609,325",
        "17.4",
        "609,325",
        "17.4",
        "453,671",
        "4.5",
        "453,671",
        "4.5"
    ],
    "title": "",
    "leftSideCols": 1,
    "rowsHeader": 2
}

Reviews and data updates

The data published today are provisional and will be revised in March next year. Coinciding with today’s publication, the INE has updated the data of the Statistic on Tourist Movements at Borders for all the months of 2023, which are now definitive. All results of this operation are available on INEBase.

Methological note

The main objective of the Tourist Movement on Borders Survey (FRONTUR) is to estimate the number of non-residents visiting Spain on a monthly basis, as well as to know the main characteristics of the trips made by these visitors. For the preparation of FRONTUR the international definitions and recommendations of the UNWTO and Eurostat in this field are followed.

Type of operation: continuous monthly statistics.

Population scope: this refers to non-residents in Spain who enter our country, whether or not they have stayed overnight, as well as those who pass through our country in transit.

Geographical scope: the entire national territory. The sample is collected at the main access points for non-resident travelers, both by road, airport, port and rail.

Reference period of the results: the month.

Sample size: the annual theoretical sample size of FRONTUR exceeds 450,000 surveys, which are distributed throughout the year, taking into account the seasonality of passenger flows.

Type of sampling: the sample design, a series of strata have been defined for each form of entry that group together border points, airports, ports or railway lines, respectively. In the road and airport sample allocation, the day of the week in which the survey has been carried out is also identified, differentiating between working days, weekends and holidays. Furthermore, in airports 20 air relations are defined (Spanish airport of origin-country of destination airport) which also determine the sample design in this form of access.

Collection method: information is collected by direct interview when the traveler leaves Spain, using a multilingual electronic questionnaire.

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.

For further information see

Official INE account on @es_ine

All press releases at:: www.ine.es/en/prensa/prensa_en.htm
Press office:: (+34) 91 583 93 63 / 94 08 – gprensa@ine.es
Information area:: (+34) 91 583 91 00 – www.ine.es/infoine/?L=1