The Canary Islands was the third main destination in April, receiving 16 percent of the total number of international tourists arriving in Spain, which in absolute figures was almost 1.2 million visitors (+4.5 percent more than in April 2022).
In addition, tourist spending has increased by 4.8 percent in the Canary Islands, according to data published this week by the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Spain as a whole received a record 7.2 million international tourists in April, 18.5 per cent more than in the same month of 2022 and 1.2 per cent more than in April 2019, before the pandemic. Visitors also spent a record €8.48 billion in April, 22.7% more than a year ago and 20.2% higher than the pre-pandemic best.
In the first four months of the year, Spain has received almost 21 million international tourists, which represents a growth of 32.4% compared to last year, with total spending reaching 25,681 million euros, 36.6% more than in the same period last year and 14.5% above 2019.
For the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, these are “extraordinary figures” that “demonstrate, once again, that Spain is at the forefront of world tourism, that the tourism recovery is complete and that the Government’s policies are working, both those relating to specialised and quality employment and aid for the modernisation of the sector”.
The average expenditure per tourist in April was 1,172 euros, an annual increase of 3.6%. The average daily expenditure also increased by 11.6% to 173 euros, according to data published by the INE.
The average duration of trips by international tourists was 6.8 days, a similar figure to the same month last year. The most popular type of stay among tourists in April was between four and seven nights, with more than 3.7 million travellers choosing this mode and an annual increase of 18.3%.
The airport was the entry point for the largest number of tourists in April, with more than six million, representing an annual increase of 15.2%. By road, 35.3% more tourists arrived, by rail 44.8% more and by port 70.3% more.
Leisure, recreation and holidays was the main reason for travel to Spain for 6.2 million tourists in April, an annual increase of 19%.
BRITISH TOURISTS, IN THE LEAD
By countries, the United Kingdom, which continues to lead the outbound tourist market, with 1.4 million visitors in April, 8.7% more than in April 2022. France and Germany are the next countries with the most tourists visiting Spain, with more than one million visitors each. Tourists from France grew in April by 26.9% in annual rate and those from Germany by 2%.
Among the other countries of residence, the annual growth of tourists from the United States (60.7% more than in April 2022), which is the country with the highest growth this month, as well as Italy (+29%) and Portugal (+29.6%) stand out.
In the first four months of the year, visitors from the United States have increased by 75.4%, being the country of origin where the number of tourists has grown the most compared to a year ago.
In terms of expenditure, the main countries of origin in terms of the level of expenditure in April were the United Kingdom (with 16% of the total), Germany (14.8%) and France (9.1%). Spending by tourists from the UK increased by 4.6% in annual terms, from Germany by 14.1% and from France by 31.1%.
In the first four months of 2023, the UK was the country with the highest cumulative expenditure (16.4% of the total). It was followed by Germany (12.7%) and the Nordic countries (8.4%).
CATALONIA LEADING GROWTH IN APRIL
Catalonia was the main destination for tourists in April, with 21.3% of the total. It was followed by the Balearic Islands (16.3%) and the Canary Islands (16%). Catalonia received 1.5 million tourists, 33% more than in April 2022. The main countries of residence of tourists from this community were France (with 25% of the total) and the United States (10.1%).
The number of tourists visiting the Balearic Islands increased by 10.5% to nearly 1.2 million. 39.7% came from Germany and 18.3% from the United Kingdom.
The third main destination community by number of tourists is the Canary Islands, with almost 1.2 million tourists and an annual increase of 4.5%. The United Kingdom was the main country of origin (with 36.3% of the total), followed by Germany (17.8%).
In the other regions, the number of tourists increased by 27.3% in Andalusia, 21.8% in Comunidad de Madrid and 10.7% in Comunitat Valenciana.
In the first four months of 2023, the autonomous communities that received the most tourists were the Canary Islands (with almost 4.9 million and an increase of 23.5% compared to the same period in 2022), Catalonia (with almost 4.3 million and an increase of 45.4%) and Andalusia (with more than 3.1 million, an increase of 38.7%).
In terms of expenditure, the autonomous communities of main destination with the greatest weight in tourist expenditure in April were Catalonia (with 19.1% of the total), the Canary Islands (18.3%) and Andalusia (15.8%).
Tourist expenditure increased by 41.6% in annual rate in Catalonia, by 4.8% in the Canary Islands and by 37% in Andalusia. The rest of the main tourist destination communities presented positive annual rates of change.
In the first four months of 2023, the main destination communities with the highest cumulative expenditure were the Canary Islands (with 27.1% of the total), Catalonia (17.2%) and Andalusia (14.5%).
