The Canary Islands received a total of 12.3 million international tourists last year, which is 129.5% more than in 2021, which was greatly affected by the pandemic, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), which put the expenditure made by these visitors at 17.425 million euros (+142.8% year-on-year).
In all of Spain, the country had 71.6 million international tourists in 2022, which is more than double the figure for the previous year (129.5%), which was greatly affected by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, expenditure was 87,061 million, a figure that represents a particularly notable increase in average daily expenditure, which rose by 15.3% to 145 euros.
According to MInistry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, these figures demonstrate the strength of the sector in complex contexts and the effectiveness of the measures adopted by the government. “According to our forecasts, in 2023 the recovery of tourism will be complete, reaching record figures again in terms of tourists and spending,” said the tourism minister, Reyes Maroto.
The main countries of residence of tourists visiting Spain last year were the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 251.3%, those from France by 73.3% and those from Germany by 87.4%.
The Canary Islands was the third main destination in Spain by number of tourists, with more than 12.3 million and an annual increase of 134.5%. The United Kingdom was the main country of origin with 38% of the total, followed by Germany (17.1%).
Hotel or rented accommodation was used by 59.5 million tourists (140.3% more than in 2021) and homes owned or rented by family or friends by another 12 million (87.8% more).
The United Kingdom was once again the main country of residence for visitors to Spain in the last month of the year, with 758,591 tourists, representing 18.4% of the total and an increase of 82.5% compared to December 2021.
By destination the Canary Islands was the favourite for foreign tourists in December, with 29.6% of the total, followed by Catalonia (19.7%) and Andalusia (13%).
Travelling to the Canary Islands: the spending is higher
In terms of spending, according to data from the tourism expenditure survey (EGATUR) compiled by the INE, total spending by non-resident tourists in Spain last year stood at 87,061 million euros, an increase of 149.4% compared to 2021. Comparing this figure with 2019, total expenditure was 5.3% lower.
The average expenditure per tourist reached 1,217 euros, an increase of 8.7% compared to 2021. Meanwhile, average daily expenditure grew by 17.8% to 162 euros.
The average duration of trips by international tourists was 7.5 days, which was 0.7 days shorter than the average for 2021, according to the INE.
The tourists who spent the most in Spain were the British with a total of 17,145 million euros, 259.2% more than in 2021.
They were followed by Germany (with 11,513 million and an increase of 90.8%) and France (with 8,149 million, 83.5% more).
According to INE data, the autonomous communities with the highest total expenditure in 2022 were the Canary Islands (with 17,452 million, 142.8% more than in 2021), Catalonia (with 16,461 million and an increase of 198%) and the Balearic Islands (with 15,220 million, 109.1% more than in 2021).
