3 May 2024

Tourist Movements at Borders (FRONTUR)

March 2024. Provisional data

Main results

Spain received 6.3 million international tourists in March, 21.0% more than in the same month in 2023.
In the first three months of 2024, the number of tourists increased by 17.7%.

More information

Annex of tables (includes information from the Autonomous Communities)
Advanced query system
Infographic:Tourism Indicators

In March, Spain received 6.3 million international tourists, 21.0% more than in the same month in 2023.

In the first three months of 2024 the number of tourists visiting Spain increased by 17.7% and exceeded 16.1 million.

International tourists arrivals by months

Annual variation. Percentage

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            "14.1",
            "18.5",
            "26.2",
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The United Kingdom was the main country of residence, with more than 1.2 million tourists, an increase of 13.3% compared to March 2023. 909,031 tourists came from Germany (28.7% more) and 791,648 from France (31.8% more).

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

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        "6,347,516",
        "21.0",
        "16,124,997",
        "17.7",
        "909,031",
        "28.7",
        "2,052,524",
        "19.5",
        "201,155",
        "30.3",
        "523,358",
        "27.6",
        "791,648",
        "31.8",
        "1,982,639",
        "15.7",
        "169,109",
        "21.5",
        "448,731",
        "22.8",
        "338,591",
        "7.2",
        "964,420",
        "15.5",
        "265,551",
        "10.9",
        "730,563",
        "16.5",
        "194,739",
        "13.1",
        "482,632",
        "0.8",
        "1,200,915",
        "13.3",
        "2,974,043",
        "15.1",
        "123,626",
        "25.7",
        "323,792",
        "13.8",
        "459,173",
        "19.3",
        "1,204,283",
        "13.5",
        "724,082",
        "32.5",
        "1,835,636",
        "20.3",
        "285,498",
        "10.4",
        "622,560",
        "17.3",
        "335,016",
        "17.1",
        "958,620",
        "18.0",
        "349,383",
        "22.5",
        "1,021,197",
        "34.8"
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(*) Does not include transit travellers or same-day visitors (excursionists).
(**) Includes the estimate for Russia.

The main countries of origin during the first three months were the United Kingdom (with almost 3.0 million tourists and an increase of 15.1%), Germany (almost 2.1 million and an increase of 19.5%) and France (with more than 2.0 million, 15.7% more).

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 23.3% in the annual rate. Within this type, hotel accommodation grew by 17.5%, and rented dwellings by 55.8%. Non-market accommodation increased by 11.8%.

International tourist arrivals by type of accommodation. March 2024

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        "17.7",
        "5,143,586",
        "23.3",
        "12,598,803",
        "19.4",
        "4,005,729",
        "17.5",
        "9,815,125",
        "14.9",
        "866,489",
        "55.8",
        "2,158,353",
        "49.9",
        "271,368",
        "31.7",
        "625,325",
        "9.3",
        "1,203,930",
        "11.8",
        "3,526,194",
        "11.9",
        "340,920",
        "-4.2",
        "928,559",
        "0.1",
        "741,545",
        "16.2",
        "2,340,331",
        "15.3",
        "121,466",
        "47.2",
        "257,304",
        "33.2"
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A stay of four to seven nights was the main length among tourists, with more than 3.2 million and an annual increase of 28.8%. The number of visitors increased by 18.6% among those without overnight stays (excursionists) and increased by 16.7% among tourists with longer duration (more than 15 nights).

Nearly 4.8 million tourists travelled without a tourist package in March, an increase of 18.7%. Nearly 1.6 million tourists travelled with a tourist package, 28.4% more.

Autonomous communities of main destination

The Canary Islands were the top tourist destination in March, with 24.3% of the total. It was followed by Cataluña (21.2%) and Andalucía(15.1%).

18.9% more tourists visited Canarias than in March 2023. The number of tourists who visited Cataluña increased by 27.9% and those who visited Andalucía rose by 19.8%.

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

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        "960,232",
        "19.8",
        "2,352,629",
        "18.7",
        "428,232",
        "18.7",
        "781,950",
        "16.7",
        "1,543,234",
        "18.9",
        "4,272,290",
        "14.3",
        "1,346,429",
        "27.9",
        "3,354,899",
        "20.7",
        "826,970",
        "25.2",
        "2,030,158",
        "25.1",
        "711,554",
        "19.7",
        "1,906,034",
        "21.6",
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        "10.7",
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        "6.2"
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In the cumulative figure for the first three months of 2024, the Autonomous Communities that received the most tourists were Canarias (4.3 million: an increase of 14.3% as compared with the same period in 2023), Cataluña (3.4 million: an increase of 20.7%) and Andalucía (2.4 million: 18.7% more).

Reviews and data updates

The data published today are provisional and will be revised in March next year. All results of this operation are available on INEBase.

Methodological 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. The international definitions and recommendations of the UNWTO and EUROSTAT in this field are followed when preparing the FRONTUR.

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.
Sampling type:: strata have been defined for each form of entry that group together border points, airports, ports or railway lines, respectively. In determining the road and airport sample, the day of the week in which the survey has been carried out is also identified, differentiating between working days, weekends and holidays. In airports, 21 air relations are defined (Spanish airport of origin-country of destination airport).
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

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