During May 2014, Spain welcomed more than 1.6 million UK visitors, making the UK the largest international tourism market to the country and representing 27.6% of all international tourists. The monthly figure represented a year on year increase of 7.5%, with the cumulative UK visitor numbers since the start of the year up by 6.9% (to 4.8 million).
In May 2014, Germany was the second strongest inbound tourism market to Spain, capturing 16.6% of all international visitors (+1.1%), followed by France which represented 14.8% (+11.5%).
In terms of tourism expenditure in Spain, May 2014 welcomed a total spend of €5.2 billion, up 3.5% year on year. The UK accounted for the largest part (23.2%), followed by Germany (15.8%) and France (9.2%).
Cumulatively since January 2014, Spain has welcomed over 21.4 million international tourists, a rise of 8.2% year on year. Tourism expenditure in Spain from January 2014 to the end of May 2014 has grown by 9.1% to €20.1 billion, with the UK accounting for 18.9%, followed by Germany (16.8%) and the Nordic countries (11.6%).
Key destinations
During May 2014, all Spanish regions saw yearly increases in terms of international visitor numbers. Catalonia was the most popular region in terms of visitor numbers and tourism expenditure welcoming in excess of 1.5 million tourists (+2.3%) and accounting for 25% of the total international tourism market to Spain. The tourism spend was in excess of 1.2 billion, up 0.5% year on year, accounting for almost a quarter (24.1%) of the total tourism expenditure to Spain during May 2014. This increase was fuelled particularly by visits from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the Asian markets.
From January until the end of May, Catalonia has welcomed over 5.4 million international tourists (+8.0%), making it Spain’s most popular region in terms of visitor numbers, accounting for over a quarter (25.4%) of all international visits. Total tourism expenditure in Catalonia for the same period was in excess of €4.4 billion (+5.4%), accounting for 22% of the total tourism spend in Spain and making it Spain’s second most popular region in terms of expenditure this year (after the Canary Islands).
In May 2014, the Balearic Islands was the second most visited region welcoming over 1.3 million international tourists (+1.2%) and representing 22.6% of the total international tourism market – largely fuelled by visits from the UK and Holland. Despite the slight year on year increase in international visits, expenditure saw a drop of 7.7% with a total tourism spend of €995 million (representing 18.9% of the total).
Cumulatively from January until the end of May 2014 the Balearic Islands has welcomed more than 2.4 million visitors (-2.5%), representing 11.6% of total international visits. With a total tourism spend of €1.9 billion (-4.7%), the Balearic Islands have accounted for almost a tenth (9.6%) of Spain’s total tourism expenditure.
In May 2014 the region of Andalucía welcomed just over 858,000 international visitors, representing a notable year on year increase of 10.4% and accounting for 14.1% of all international visits. With a significant year on year increase in tourism expenditure for the same period (+12.6%), Andalucía accounted for 15.9% of Spain’s total tourism expenditure. Since January 2014, Andalucía has received more than 2.8 million international visitors (+10.1%) making it Spain’s third most popular region after Catalonia and the Canary Islands. The region has seen a total tourism expenditure of €3.1 billion, accounting for 15.5% of overall tourism spend to Spain. The growth in tourism arrivals has been fuelled mainly by the UK, France and Italy.
For May 2014, the Canary Islands saw the biggest year on year increase in terms of international arrivals with more than 776,000 international visitors (+12.9%) with the UK, Germany and France identified as the main contributors towards this growth. For the same period, the Canary Islands welcomed a total tourism expenditure of €836 million (+12.6%). Cumulatively since January 2014, the Canary Islands has welcomed over 4.8 million international visitors, accounting for Spain’s largest cumulative year on year increase in visitor traffic (+13.1%). Total tourism expenditure in the Canary Islands up until the end of May 2014 has topped €5.3 billion, accounting for the largest share (26.6%) of Spain’s total tourism spend.
Madrid and the surroundings, and the region of Valencia both saw positive growth in international visits during May 2014 (+11.7% and +2.8% respectively) as well as tourism spend (+12.4% and +8.5%). Cumulatively from January 2014 until the end of May, Madrid and the surroundings has welcomed over 1.8 million visitors whilst the region of Valencia has welcomed over 2 million visitors.
Madrid and the surroundings have accounted for 10.8% of total tourism expenditure whilst the region of Valencia has accounted for 8%.
The rest of Spain also saw a positive increases in terms of international visitors and tourism expenditure during May 2014 (+ 9.1% and 7.2% respectively).
Average tourism spend
During May 2014, the average tourism spend in Spain was €865 (-2.0%) whilst the average daily spend was €109 (-1.9%).
UK visitors spent an average of €727 per tourist (+3.4%) with an average daily spend of €90 (-0.7%). Whilst visits from UK visitors were lengthened, their daily expenditure dropped.
Visitors from the Nordic countries had the highest spend (€950 per tourist).
Other key statistics
During May 2014, 84% of all international visitors to Spain arrived by plane (+6.2%) whilst road access accounted for 14.5% of all arrivals (+2.1%). Access via Spain’s ports dropped by 4.6% year on year, representing just 1.2% of all international arrivals.
Whilst most visitors opted for hotel accommodation (69.8%) in May 2014 (+10.7%), other types of accommodation such as staying with friends or family or rental accommodation were chosen by almost a third (30.2%) of the market (+4.4%). Cumulatively since January 2014, hotels were the accommodation of choice for 66.5% of visitors with non-hotel accommodation accounting for 33.5%.
In terms of types of travel, during May 2014 just over a third (33.4%) of international visitors opted to visit Spain as part of a package holiday (+22.7%). The majority (66.6%) opted to travel without a package (-1.2%).
