New record spending by inbound tourists between January and September at 53.79 billion euros, up 6.3%

Spain posted a new record in terms of total spending by inbound tourists visiting the country between January and September at a record 53.79 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 6.3%. According to the Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGATUR) drafted by the General Sub-directorate of Tourism Information and Studies of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, the first nine months of the year also saw increases in the average spend per day (up 3.8% to 112 euros) and the average spend per tourist (up 2.4% to 989 euros).

That figure of 53.79 billion euros means that inbound tourists have spent 197 million euros per day in Spain so far this year.

The largest increase in spending was posted by the United Kingdom and the Asian countries, while the largest year-on-year growth figures (all above 15%) were posted by the Asian countries, the United States, Italy, Belgium and Canada.

Catalonia was the Spanish region posting the highest inbound tourist spending figure, at 12.5 billion euros. Meanwhile, the Region of Madrid posted the highest year-on-year growth in the first nine months of the year, at 13.1%, followed by Andalusia, with an increase of 10%.

Spending by inbound tourists in September also exceeded the record set last year, at 7.2 billion euros - an increase of 2.3%, the highest figure since records began. To a great extent, the spending increase in September was caused by an increase in the number of tourists in the month (up 2.2%), as the average spend per person remained stable at 1,005 euros. The average spend per day rose by 2.3% in September to 116 euros.

In September, the British market made a noteworthy contribution to total spending and accounted for almost one quarter of total spending in Spain by inbound tourists. Some way behind, but also with significant results, were the Italian and North American markets.

Catalonia also posted the highest spending figure in September, at 1.67 billion euros (-8.1%). However, the highest year-on-year increases in the month were posted by Andalusia (up 16.5%) and the Canary Islands (up 11.3%).

Emitting markets

The United Kingdom was the main emitting market for tourist spending in Spain in the first nine months of the year, at 11.54 billion euros, an increase of 10.5%. Increases were posted in this period by both the average spend per day - up 9.9% to 105 euros - and the average spend per tourist, up 7.1% to 905 euros.

In September, English tourists accounted for 23.7% of total spending by foreign tourists in Spain, at 1.71 billion euros in the month, an increase of 10.9% (167 million euros more) on the same month in 2014. This excellent result was due to an increase in the average spend per tourist (up 6%), an increase in the number of tourists coming from the United Kingdom (up 4.6%) and an increase in the average spend per day (up 8.5%). All the main destination regions benefited from this upward trend from the British market in September, especially the Canary Islands.

Germany, the second market in terms of spending volume in the first nine months of the year, at 7.79 billion euros, posted a downturn of 1.4% and accounted for 14.5% of total spending by inbound tourists in Spain. In September, spending by German tourists in Spain amounted to 1.1 billion euros, a decrease of 5.6% on September 2014. Fewer tourists in the month and a lower average spend per tourist (down 2.3%) were the main reasons, which affected all regions except the Canary Islands and the Region of Madrid.

French tourists spent a total of 5.58 billion euros in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 6.3% accounting for 10.4% of the total. In September, total spending by French tourists in Spain fell by 6.5% to 672 million euros. This was mainly due to a downturn in the average spend per trip, in spite of an increase in the number of French tourists arriving in the month. The market maintained its third position overall in terms of inbound tourist spending, accounting for 9.3% of the total. Increases in terms of the average spend per person and per day were recorded by French tourists in Andalusia and the Canary Islands.

The Nordic markets spent a total of 4.3 billion euros in Spain between January and September, down 3.8% and accounting for 8% of total spending. Tourists from these markets spent 439 million euros in September, up 4.1%, reversing the negative trend of previous months. This was mainly due to a recovery in the number of tourists arriving this month and an increase in the average spend per tourist. Andalusia was the region mostly benefitting from this result.

Italy was the emitting market that posted the highest growth in the first nine months of the year (up 16.5%) to a total of 2.6 billion euros accounting for 4.8% of total spending by inbound tourists in Spain. Spending by Italian tourists also rose significantly in September, by 21% to 369 million euros. In September, Italy posted a 24.6% increase in the average spend per tourist to 981 euros and a 21.4% increase in the average spend per day to 129 euros. The Balearic Islands was the region to benefit most from these figures.

Of the remaining markets, it is worth noting the significant accumulated growth to date this year posted by the Asian markets, with noticeable spending increases by tourists from China (up 31.9%) and Japan (up 33.6%). In turn, September also saw excellent performance by spending from US tourists (up 31.2%) and Dutch tourists (up 20.5%).

Main destination autonomous regions

Catalonia was the Spanish region posting the highest tourist spending figure between January and September, at 12.5 billion euros (up 2.4%). In September, total spending by inbound tourists fell by 8.1% in Catalonia to 1.67 billion euros. This was mainly due to lower spending by Italian, Russian, French and German tourists. The region accounted for 23.2% of total spending by inbound tourists in Spain, both in September and in the year to date.
With a total of 9.93 billion euros between January and September, the Balearic Islands posted growth of 6.6%, accounting for 18.5% of total spending by inbound tourists in Spain. Increases were posted in this period by both the average spend per tourist - up 4% to 953 euros - and the average spend per day - up 6% to 118 euros.

In September, total spending rose by 1.7% to over 1.61 billion euros. This was mainly due to excellent spending figures from Italian and British tourists.

The Canary Islands were third in terms of inbound tourist spending volume, with 9.54 billion euros between January and September (up 4.8%). This figure represents 17.7% of total spending. In September, inbound tourists in the Canary Islands posted a spending figure of over 1 billion euros for the first time since EGATUR records began, an increase of 11.3% on September 2014. The United Kingdom made the largest contribution to this result, followed by Italy and Germany.

A total of 8.29 billion euros was spent in Andalusia in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 10% on 2014, meaning it maintained a 15.4% share of the total. In September, Andalusia posted the highest growth figure of all the main destination regions at 16.5% (1.21 billion euros). This was mainly caused by an increase in the number of tourists visiting Andalusia (up 6.4%), the average spend per day (up 10.8%) and the average spend per tourist (up 9.5%). The Asian markets and the United Kingdom were the main drivers of this growth.

The Region of Madrid posted an inbound tourist spending figure of 4.72 billion euros between January and September, and the highest growth in the period among the main destination autonomous regions. Spending by inbound tourists in September stood at 547 million euros, an increase of 9.7% on September 2014. This was mainly caused by an increase in the number of arriving tourists and the average spend per day, which rose to 201 euros. Tourists from the Asian markets and the United Kingdom spent the most.

A total of 4.57 billion euros were spent in the Region of Valencia in the first nine months of the year (up 5.1%), accounting for 8.5% of the total in the period. In September, inbound tourists spent a total of 591 million euros in the Region of Valencia (down 4.1%). This was due to downturns in the average spend per day (-9.1%) and the average spend per tourist (-6.6%), in spite of an increase in spending by the region's main market, the United Kingdom. However, spending by French and German tourists decreased.

Type of accommodation, type of holiday and reason for travel

Between January and September of this year, those tourists who opted for hotel accommodation spent 34.37 billion euros, an increase of 7.2% and accounting for 63.9% of the total. In September, tourists staying in hotel accommodation spent 4.78 billion euros, an increase of 3.4% and accounting for 66.4% of the total.

Spending between January and September by inbound tourists who opted for non-hotel accommodation amounted to 19.42 billion euros, an increase of 4.8% and accounting for 36.1% of the total. In September, spending by tourists staying in this type of accommodation remained stable at 2.42 billion euros, accounting for 33.6% of the total.

Tourists travelling independently spent 36.1 billion euros between January and September, an increase of 6.8%, while spending by those tourists travelling on a package holiday amounted to 17.69 billion euros, an increase of 5.4%. Independent travellers also spent a higher figure in September at 4.69 billion euros, an increase of 2.7%, while tourists on a package holiday in September spent 2.51 billion euros, an increase of 13%.