Tourist spending reached pre-pandemic levels in May

Spain received seven million international tourists in May, with a total expenditure of 8 billion euros, a figure similar to the pre-pandemic level. In addition, the average expenditure per traveller was 1,152 euros compared to 1,028 euros in the same month of 2019, representing a growth of 12.1% in nominal terms and 1.4% in real terms, discounting the effects of inflation, according to the data of the Frontur y Egatur surveys released today by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

"So far this year, and even before the strong summer months get underway, Spain has practically recovered eight out of every ten international tourists in 2019. The good prospects for the high season, based on the bookings already confirmed for travel to Spain, mean that we can affirm that international tourism will continue its recovery in the coming months, even in the current context of rising prices, because our country is very competitive and the rise in prices is a global phenomenon," said the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto.

In the first five months of the year, visits by international tourists totalled 22.7 million (78% over the same period in 2019) and spending by tourists on their trips, including transport, was close to the pre-pandemic level at €22.77 billion (99% over 2019). The average stay in May was 6.5 days compared to 6.3 days in May 2019.

Arrivals increase fivefold in the last year

International tourist arrivals have increased fivefold in the last year. Practically one out of every four visitors received (23.7% of the total) came from the United Kingdom, which was once again the main source market with almost 1.7 million tourists, and whose destinations were mainly Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and Catalonia.

Germany and France are the next countries with the most tourists visiting Spain. Germany contributed 975,241 tourists, who travelled mainly to the Balearic Islands, and France 925,994 to Catalonia and Andalusia. Switzerland is the market that issued more tourists in May than in the same month of 2019 (156,503 compared to 131,098 in 2019).

Main destinations

The Balearic Islands was the main destination for tourists, with a share of 23.4% of the total, followed by Catalonia (21%) and Andalusia (14.9%). Moreover, it is the only Autonomous Community with total tourist expenditure in the first five months of the year higher than in 2019.

However, in the month of May and comparing the data with the same month of 2019, in addition to the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Valencia and the rest of the Autonomous Communities grouped together also have figures for international tourist spending that are higher than prior to the pandemic.

Non official translation