Wine tourism in Spain grows by 52%

24-06-23

According to data from the latest 'Annual report on visits to wineries and wine museums', prepared by the Tourism Observatory of the Wine Routes of Spain, the rapid recovery of wine tourism after the strong impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is confirmed.

The total number of visitors to the wineries and wine museums associated to the Wine Routes of Spain amounted to 2,487,255 during 2022, 51.59% more than the previous year. This represents a recovery of 80.85% of the pre-pandemic figures, according to data from the Spanish Association of Wine Cities (ACEVIN). Moreover, these arrivals had an economic impact of close to 75.5 million euros.

The almost 2.5 million visitors registered in 2022, compared to more than 1.6 million in 2021, have also had a great impact on the destinations. The economic impact of visits to wineries and wine museums is close to 75.5 million euros, 39.04% more than in 2021 and only 12% below the 2019 figures.

Revenues that would be even higher if expenses corresponding to accommodation, restaurants or activity companies were included. According to an estimate by ACEVIN, the overall economic impact represented by wine tourism in the 36 Wine Routes of Spain would triple the figure recorded in wineries and museums.

Wine tourism is one of the key ways to boost the economy of wine-growing areas. A product that, under the focus of sustainability, allows for job creation, innovation and population maintenance, according to ACEVIN.

Although domestic tourists lead the visits to wineries, with 80% of the total, international tourist arrivals increased by just over 5%. The routes with the highest percentage of foreign visitors are Gran Canaria (66.5%), Alicante (41.5%) and Penedès (38.5%).

The most visited routes

In 2022 the routes that received the highest number of visitors were:

•  Marco de Jerez Wine and Brandy Route: 333,781.

•  Rioja Alta Wine Route: 313,974 visitors

•  Ribera del Duero Wine Route: 281.918

•  Penedès Wine Route: 262.693

•  Rioja Alavesa Wine Route: 234.101

•  Calatayud Wine Route: 229.009

The study points out that October is once again the month with the highest number of visits to wineries and museums, coinciding with the grape harvest, followed by August. A particularly relevant data for ACEVIN, since most travellers enjoy their holidays in that month, when sun and beach destinations prevail.

"The fact that wine tourism offers such high figures in this period shows that it is no longer a complementary activity to other types of tourism, but rather a consolidated product", the association points out.