Government quotes number of inbound tourists who visited Spain in 2018 at 82.6 million

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, presented the balance of the tourist sector for 2018 at a press briefing, together with the total budget scheduled for the State Secretariat for Tourism.

The minister highlighted that the number of inbound tourists to Spain rose by 0.9% to 82.6 million, according to the year-end estimate prepared from information furnished by Turespaña.

As regards total spending by inbound tourists in 2018, Reyes Maroto stated that the figure is expected to stand at 89.68 billion euros, a 3.1% rise on the previous year. Similarly, average spending per tourist enjoyed growth from January to November 2018 of 2.2%, an average of 1,082 euros per person, according to the EGATUR (tourist spending survey) statistics prepared by the National Statistics Institute (Spanish acronym: INE). Average daily spending stood at 147 euros, with a 6.4% rise on 2017.

As regards employment figures, the tourism sector continues to be a driver of growth of the Spanish economy, with an increase of close on 100,000 new jobs. Tourism-related activities account for 12.2% of all National Insurance contributors.

For Reyes Maroto, these figures "are good, show a new all-time record and allow us to maintain our position as a leading global destination while encouraging us to continue working to consolidate flows and to boost added value tourism".

2019 Budget for State Secretariat for Tourism

The minister also presented the main lines of tourism spending contained in the Draft General State Budget for 2019.
She announced that the overall budget of the State Secretariat for Tourism exceeds 316 million euros, with the aim of boosting new lines of action, such as support for technological innovation, actions to encourage inbound tourists, and boosting new models of planning and management for the sustainable and smart development of tourist destinations.

Reyes Maroto highlighted growth in items for advertising and actions to encourage inbound tourists, amounting to 34.6 million euros; the amount to boost technological innovation has risen to 4 million euros, up 15%, and an item will be allocated of 12.5 million euros to complete those Paradores [luxury State-owned hotels] under construction.

As regards the lines of credit allocated to regional governments for the reconversion and improvement of tourist destinations, these will have a provision of 100 million euros in addition to 22 million euros in investment subsidies. The budget provides for a 4% increase to 88.7 million euros for Turespaña and 82 million euros under an ICO [Official Credit Institute] line has been allocated to the renovation of tourism companies.

Non official translation