In March 2014, Spain welcomed a total tourism expenditure of €3.982 million, up 6.6% year on year. The average tourism spend was €1.021 per stay (+5.9%) or €122 per day (+10.6%).
In March 2014 UK visitor expenditure in Spain was €640 million (+1.5%), representing 16.1% of the total tourism expenditure. UK visitors to Spain spent an average of €858 per stay (+4.9%) or €95 per day (+6.1%).
During March 2014, Spain welcomed a total tourism expenditure of €3.982 million, up 6.6% year on year, according to the Egatur survey commissioned by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. This increase is partly thanks to the growth in visitor numbers to Spain (+0.7%) but also reflects the 5.9% increase in the average tourism expenditure which is now €1,021 per person. The daily tourism expenditure also rose by 10.6% to €122.
Cumulatively for the first quarter of 2014, Spain’s total tourism expenditure amounted to more than €10 million, up 8.1% year on year, in line with the Spanish Tourist Office’s objective of increasing the average tourism spend.
Germany accounted for the largest part of the total tourism expenditure (19.1%), followed by the UK (16.1%) and the Nordic Countries (14.5%). The Canary Islands benefited most highly, accounting for almost a third (32.7%) of the total expenditure, followed by Catalonia (20%) and Andalucía (15%).
Source Markets
Despite the fact that German tourism arrivals to Spain increased by a moderate 0.3% in March 2014, German tourism expenditure rose by 14.1% during the same period, contributing an additional €94 million compared to March 2013.
In March 2014, the United Kingdom accounted for 16.1% of the total tourism expenditure in Spain, up 1.5% year on year despite the decrease in tourism arrivals (-3.3%). The average spend was up for UK visitors to €858 per stay (+4.9%) and €95 per day (+6.1%).
Most Popular Regions
For the fifth consecutive month, the Canary Islands was the most popular region, both in terms of tourism arrivals and tourism expenditure, receiving almost a third (32.7%) of Spain’s total tourism expenditure in March 2014, up 14.2% compared to the same period in 2013. This was partly thanks to an increase in international tourism to the Canary Islands (+7.7%) and partly thanks to a rise in tourism expenditure (+6.1%).
For the same period, Catalonia received 20% of the total tourism expenditure and the region welcomed a very slight increase in tourism spend (+0.2%). This was due to an increase in international visitors to Catalonia (+4.9%) as the average spend per stay in the region fell by 4.4%.The tourism expenditure in Andalucía in March 2014 also saw a slight increase (+0.9%) thanks to a significant increase in tourism spend to the region (+12.7%) which lessened the effect of the decrease in international tourism arrivals (-10.5%). Accounting for 15% of the total tourism spend, Germany, the Nordic Countries and France were the biggest contributors to the increase, whereas expenditure from the United Kingdom dropped.
Madrid and the surroundings welcomed a 16.9% increase in tourism expenditure during March 2014. The average spend per person increased by 13.3% year on year whilst the number of international visitors increased by 3.2%. The United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany all contributed positively towards this growth.
The region of Valencia saw tourism expenditure grow by 14.1% fuelled both by the increase in international visitors (+9.2%) and by a rise in the average spend per person (+4.4%). The United Kingdom was responsible for almost a third of this expenditure, and was the core contributor towards this growth.
For the third consecutive month, the Balearic Islands saw a decrease in the number of visitors which contributed toward a significant drop in the islands’ total tourism expenditure (-20.4%). This was in spite of the fact that the average spend per person actually increased by 16.3%.
Other key statistics
During March 2014, the tourism spend in non-hotel accommodation increased by 15.2%, whereas the expenditure in hotel accommodation increased by a more moderate 2.5%.
In terms of holiday type, expenditure generated by package holidays during March 2014 saw an increase of 14.1%, whereas expenditure generated by non-package holidays rose by 3.6%. Despite this, non-package holidays accounted for more than two thirds (67.2%) of all international arrivals.
The expenditure in leisure holidays grew by 3.6% accounting for 80% of Spain’s total tourism expenditure.
