Record spending by inbound tourists of 10.76 billion euros in the first quarter, up 7%

The United Kingdom, with spending of 1.88 billion euros, was amont the top emitting markets the one that registered the highest increase, at 14.8%.The second highest emitting market till March was Germany, whose tourists spent 1.69 billion euros while visiting Spain, and in third place were the Nordic countries, with spending of 1.34 billion euros.

The highest quarterly increase was recorded by Italian tourists who spent 503 million euros, an increase of 37.2%.

The Canary Islands was the autonomous region recording the highest tourist expenditure in the first quarter of the year, with 3.56 billion euros, representing a slight fall of 1.5%, Catalonia followed with 2.29 billion euros, up 12.6% and then Andalusia, with 1.54 billion euros, an increase of 13.2%. The highest year-on-year change, at 20.3%, was recorded by the Balearic Islands, with spending of 483 million euros

Total spending in the month of March by inbound tourists amounted to 4.2 billion euros, representing an increase of 5.4%. The all time record set in March last year was also beaten.

Emitting markets

The United Kingdom was responsible for spending of 1.88 billion euros in the quarter, with an increase of 14.8%, representing 17.5% of total spending. This emitting market was responsible for a sharp rise of 21.5% in March, amounting to 776 million euros, which accounted for 18.5% of the total. An increase in average spend per tourist and an increase of 20.3% in the number of arrivals were responsible for this rise. All autonomous regions benefitted from this increase, above all the Canary Islands.

Inbound tourists from Germany spent 1.69 billion euros in the quarter, down 3%, accounting for 15.7% of the total. In March, German tourists spent 700 million euros, a fall of 8%, making them the second-highest emitting market with 16.5% of the total. This was due to a 1.8% fall in arrivals and a decrease of 6.3% in the average spend per tourist.

Tourists from the Nordic markets spent 1.34 billion euros in the quarter, down 11.3%, and accounting for 12.5% of the total. In March, they spent 498 million euros, which represents a downturn of 13.7% on the previous year. This accounted for 11.9% of total spending in March, a month which saw fewer visitors from the Nordic countries, with those visiting spending less both per visit and spend per day. This was particularly felt in the Canary Islands.

France, with 1.04 billion euros of spending between January and March, saw a rise of 10.3%, accounting for 9.6% of the total. In March, French tourists spent 396 million euros, a slight decrease of 0.9% and accounting for 9.4% of the total. The average spend per tourist from this emitting market actually rose by 3.8%, meaning that the fall was due to a decrease in the number of inbound tourists. Catalonia and the Region of Madrid were most affected by these figures.

Italy was the emitting market accounting for the highest increases, both in terms of the quarter, with a 37.2% rise in spending and the month, with a rise of 33.1%. Expenditure from this emitting market for the quarter stood at 503 million euros, 4.7% of the total, and for the month of March at 204 million euros, or 4.9% of the total. An increase of 11.5% in terms of Italian inbound tourists coupled with a 19.3% increase in average spend per tourist to 855 euros, were the key factors behind these results, which particularly benefitted the Region of Madrid.

The other markets accounted for quarterly expenditure of 4.31 billion euros, an increase of 11.6% and 40% of the total. Expenditure for March stood at 1.62 billion euros, an increase of 11.9% and 38.6% of the total. Among these the Asian markets were particularly noteworthy.

Main destination autonomous regions

The Canary Islands maintained its leading position this quarter in terms of the highest total spending, at 3.56 billion euros, or 33.1% of the total, with a fall of 1.5%. In March, this figure stood at 1.18 billion euros, accounting for 28% of the total and a year-on-year decrease of 9.8%. This is due to a fall in both the average spend per tourist and in tourist numbers, particularly from the Nordic countries.

Up to March a total of 2.29 billion euros were spent in Catalonia, up 12.6% and accounting for 21.3% of the total. In March, total expenditure stood at 946 million euros, an increase of 18.6%, accounting for 22.5% of the total. Increases in average daily spending of 10.4% and the average spend per tourist of 9.8% were the key factors affecting this result.

With the quarterly figure of 1.54 billion euros, an increase of 13.2%, Andalusia posted 14.3% of the total. In March, spending stood at 633 million euros, representing a rise of 6% which was largely due to a 17.9% increase in the number of inbound tourists, mainly originating from the United Kingdom and France, whereas tourists from Nordic countries and Germany reduced their spending.

The Region of Madrid posted 1.23 billion euros in inbound tourist spending, an increase of 12.3% and accounting for 11.4% of the total between January and March. For the month of March, the region recorded spending of 474 million euros, an increase of 11.4% and accounting for 11.3% of the total. These results are due to a 6.1% increase in average tourist spending and a 13.5% increase in length of stay.

The Region of Valencia, with 827 million euros spent, posted growth of 5.8%, accounting for 7.7% of the total for the quarter. In March, expenditure stood at 372 million euros, up 6.8% and representing 8.9% of the total. Increases in the number of inbound tourists by 7.4% and spending by German tourists were key factors affecting these figures.

The Balearic Islands was the region posting the highest increase during the periods surveyed. Spending for the quarter amounted to 483 million euros, an increase of 20.3%, and for the month of March alone 269 million euros, up 26.5 %. These represent 4.5% and 6.4% of total spending, respectively. These results are due to the strong 27% increase in the number of inbound tourists and the increase in average spending per tourist from the United Kingdom.

Type of accommodation, type of holiday and reason for travel

Those tourists who opted for hotel accommodation spent 6.95 billion euros, up 6.7%, accounting for 64.5% of the total for the quarter. Those opting for non-hotel accommodation spent 3.82 billion euros, an increase of 7.5%. In March, hotel accommodation also posted the highest figures, at 2.81 billion euros, a 7.9% year-on-year increase. Non-hotel accommodation accounted for 1.39 billion euros, up 0.8%.

Independent travellers accounted for 66% of total spending for the quarter at 7.11 billion euros, up 8.9%.Tourists that travelled on a package holiday spent 3.66 billion euros, an increase of 3.4%. In March, independent travellers spent 2.73 billion euros, up 5%, while those opting for package holidays spent 1.47 billion euros, up 6.2%.