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Tourism in Spain continues to defy expectations, with international visitor numbers hitting record highs despite challenges like inclement weather during Easter. Last year saw a landmark 85 million foreign tourists, and current trends suggest this figure will be surpassed. Data from the first quarter underscores this optimism: between January and March, Spain welcomed 16.1 million visitors, marking an almost 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023 – a record-breaking achievement according to the INE (National Statistics Institute).
This surge in arrivals translates into unprecedented spending figures. International tourists in the first quarter splurged a staggering 22 billion euros, marking a 27% increase from last year. This bodes well for the industry, which prioritizes revenue generation over sheer visitor numbers.
Despite adverse weather conditions dampening Easter Week, resulting in cancellations and reduced last-minute bookings across Spain, the sector remains resilient. Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, lauded the first quarter's performance as a paradigm shift, highlighting the remarkable growth in destination spending and average tourist expenditure.
March, coinciding with Easter, saw over 6.3 million foreign tourists flocking to Spain – a 21% increase from the previous year. These visitors contributed 8.6 billion euros to the economy, representing a nearly 30% surge from 2023. On average, each tourist spent 1,363 euros, a 7% increase, with a daily expenditure of 180 euros – 5% higher than the previous year. Moreover, the average length of stay increased slightly to 7.6 days per tourist.
Predominantly hailing from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, these visitors accounted for over half of March's tourism influx. Particularly noteworthy was the significant increase in arrivals from Belgium and Ireland, up by 22% compared to March 2023.
The Canary Islands emerged as the top destination, attracting 4.3 million visitors, closely followed by Catalonia and Valencia. Notably, Valencia and Madrid experienced the most substantial growth, with a 20% increase in tourist arrivals compared to March 2023.