In June, the Canary Islands ranked as the fourth most preferred destination for international tourists visiting Spain, accounting for 11.4 percent of the total visitors. The islands welcomed a total of 947,828 travelers in the sixth month of the year, showing a significant increase of 5.2 percent compared to June 2022.
Data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) revealed that during the first half of the year, the archipelago hosted a total of 6.8 million tourists, making it the second highest figure in the country after Catalonia, with an impressive 18.5 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
The primary countries of origin for tourists visiting the Canary Islands in June were the United Kingdom, representing 48.4 percent of the total, followed by Germany with 15.5 percent.
On the economic front, in the first half of the year, these tourists spent a total of 9,521 million euros in the Islands, marking the highest expenditure in the country and showing a notable 17.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. During the month of June alone, international tourists spent a total of 1,280 million euros, a figure that is 10.1 percent higher than in 2022.
The average expenditure per tourist in the Canary Islands in June amounted to 1,351 euros, indicating a 4.6 percent increase from the previous year. However, the average expenditure for the entire year has experienced a slight decline of 0.7 percent, totaling 1,398 euros per person.
Similarly, the average daily expenditure per person in June was 175 euros, signifying an annual variation of 6.2 percent. Moreover, in the first six months of the year, daily expenditure per person increased by 6.6 percent, reaching 164 euros.
In terms of duration, the average length of trips made by international tourists in the Canary Islands in June was 7.7 days, showing a decrease of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year. So far this year, the duration of visits has decreased by 6.8 percent compared to the same period last year, with an average stay of 8.5 days.
SPAIN RECEIVES 37.5 MILLION INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS
Spain witnessed a remarkable surge in international tourism, with a total of 37.5 million tourists visiting the country during the first six months of the year. This figure reflects an impressive 23.7% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on Wednesday. These tourists collectively spent approximately 46,011 million euros during this period, representing a substantial growth of 28.3% from 2022.
Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector continues to be a source of joy for Spain. The total number of tourists this year is indeed exceptionally high; however, it remains 1.6% lower than the record-breaking figures of the first half of 2019, before the pandemic significantly impacted global travel.
Notably, the positive trend in spending has been a key highlight, reflecting the government’s focus on promoting higher quality tourism. In the first six months of the year, tourists visiting Spain spent over 46 billion euros, showcasing an impressive 28.3% increase from 2022 and a noteworthy 14.3% growth compared to 2019. Both average spending and daily spending have shown significant increases, with June alone witnessing an almost 8% rise to an average of 188 euros per day.
Héctor Gómez, the acting Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, expressed his satisfaction with the remarkable rise in tourist spending and the substantial number of arrivals, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining quality and excellence in order to retain its position as a global tourism leader.
The Minister of Tourism also highlighted the extraordinary growth in tourism from the United States, indicating a renewed appreciation for Spain’s attractive and high-quality offerings among international travelers.
The leading countries of origin for tourists in the first six months of the year were the United Kingdom, with almost 7.8 million tourists representing a significant annual increase of 19.8%, followed by France with nearly 4.9 million visitors, showing an impressive growth of 23.3%. Germany also contributed to the surge, with almost 4.9 million tourists, marking an increase of 10.8%.
When it comes to destinations within Spain, Catalonia emerged as the top recipient, hosting 7.9 million tourists, representing a substantial 30.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The Canary Islands followed closely with 6.8 million tourists, showing an 18.5% growth, while the Balearic Islands received 5.7 million visitors, witnessing a promising increase of 9.8%.
MORE THAN 8 MILLION VISITORS IN JUNE, MAINLY BRITISH
In June, Spain welcomed 8.3 million international tourists, reflecting a notable increase of 10.9% compared to the same month in 2022. Among the main source markets, the United Kingdom led the way with almost 2 million tourists, accounting for 23.8% of the total. Germany followed closely with 1.1 million visitors, experiencing a slight decline of 1.3% in the annual rate, while France witnessed a positive growth of 6.4%, bringing 925,133 more tourists to Spain.
Airports served as the primary entry point for tourists in June, hosting over 7 million arrivals, representing a significant annual increase of 9.5%. Additionally, there was a substantial rise in arrivals by road (15.2% more), rail (26% more), and port (49.2% more) compared to the same period last year.
Approximately 7 million tourists chose hotel accommodation or rented lodging for their stay in Spain, while an additional 1.3 million preferred staying in their own homes or with family and friends. Leisure, recreation, and holidays were the main reasons for 7.3 million tourists to visit Spain, showing a noteworthy annual increase of 9.1%.
The majority of these visitors (around 6 million) did not opt for package holidays, and their average stay in Spain ranged between four and seven nights, as reported by the Statistics on Tourist Movements at Borders (Frontur).
SPENDING IS UP BY MORE THAN 28%
During the first half of the year, tourists spent a total of 46,011 million euros in Spain, marking a substantial increase of 28.3% compared to the same period last year. When compared to pre-pandemic data in 2019, the tourist spending figure is 14.3% higher.
In the first six months of 2023, the United Kingdom led in cumulative expenditure, accounting for 18% of the total, with a substantial sum of 8,294 million euros. Following closely, Germany contributed 12.3% of the total expenditure, amounting to 5,682 million euros, while France accounted for 7.9% with 3,629 million euros in expenditure.
Among the main destination communities, the Canary Islands stood out with 20.7% of the total cumulative expenditure, followed by Catalonia with 18.8% and Andalusia with 14.3%.
According to INE data, the total tourist expenditure in Spain for the month of June reached 10,606 million euros, reflecting a remarkable increase of 17.5% compared to the same month in 2022, and a noteworthy 9.5% rise compared to June 2019.
The average expenditure per tourist was 1,275 euros, showing an annual increase of 5.9%. Additionally, the average daily expenditure per person grew by 7.9% to 188 euros, based on data from the Tourism Expenditure Survey (Egatur).
