International tourists spent 87 billion euros in Spain in 2022

05-02-23

The figures speak for themselves: international tourists are returning to Spain. A total of 71.6 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2022, spending 87,061 million euros, 86 % and 95 % respectively compared to 2019. In addition, the average stay of these travellers in our country was 7.5 days in 2022, exceeding the 7.1 days of 2019.

Another data to take into account is the average expenditure that international tourists made in Spain during 2022, which is 10.5 % higher than the data for 2019. This reflects the fact that international tourists arrive in Spain in smaller numbers, but with a longer stay and a higher percentage of expenditure. This is reflected in the data from the surveys on Tourist Movements at Borders (Frontur) and Tourist Expenditure (Egatur), published today by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

For the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, "the data we know today confirm the strong recovery of the tourism sector in 2022. The expectations we had of recovering the majority of international tourists from the pre-pandemic have been fulfilled, but the most important thing is that spending is growing more and also the average stay, and this means an improvement in the quality and profitability of our sector. According to our forecasts, by 2023 the recovery of tourism will be complete, reaching again record figures in terms of tourists and spending".

Average expenditure per traveller

Total tourism expenditure reached 87,061 million euros, 95% higher than in 2019, but the average expenditure per traveller stood at 1,217 euros, 116 euros higher than in 2019.

With regard to the main markets, the increase in the Netherlands stands out, with a rise of 18.5% compared to pre-pandemic levels to over €4,904 million in total expenditure. There was also a significant increase in spending by travellers from France (up 7.3%) to 8,149 million euros.

Total expenditure by country of origin is headed by the United Kingdom (17,145 million euros), followed by Germany (11,513 million euros), France (8,149 million euros), the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland) (5,959 million euros), the United States (5,267 million euros), the Netherlands (4,904 million euros) and Italy (3,533 million euros).

Tourist arrivals

The data also reflect a significant improvement in international tourist arrivals. In 2022, 71.6 million international tourists visited Spain, 86% more than in 2019.

Catalonia has become the most visited destination by international tourists in 2022, with Barcelona as its great protagonist. Image: 

The main countries of origin were the United Kingdom, with 15.1 million tourists; France, with 10.1 million; Germany (9.8 million); Italy (just over 4 million), and the Netherlands, with 3.9 million. Dutch tourist arrivals last year were 6% higher than in 2019.

Catalonia and Madrid, the regions with the highest growth in spending by international tourists

The growth compared to the 2021 data has been very positive in all communities, with Madrid and Catalonia as the most benefited, with an increase of 177, 4 % in tourist arrivals and 208, 8 % in the expenditure made in the capital and a growth of 155, 8 % in the number of tourists and 198 % in expenditure in the case of Catalonia (which becomes the most visited destination in the country with almost 15 million tourists).

 Other notable growth has been experienced in the Canary Islands, Andalusia and the Valencian Community which, added to the data for the whole of Spain, reflects a growth of almost 130% in the number of visitors compared to 2021 and an increase of almost 150% in spending.