-Spain received 7 million foreign visitors in May, five times more than in 2021 and close to the level of 2019, with an average spend of 1,150 euros per person, up 12%
International tourism has been on the rise since Easter, with a view to a summer that will see 2019 numbers hit after two very tough years for the sector due to the pandemic. In May alone, Spain received 7 million foreign visitors, meaning the figures for the same month last year, when just 1.4 million tourists arrived, are multiplied by five, according to data released this Monday by the INE.
In the first five months of the year, there were a total of 22.7 million visits, meaning they are only 20% below the 2019 level, when 29 million tourists arrived in Spain. The main origin is again the United Kingdom, with almost 1.7 million people, a figure very similar to the 1.9 million who arrived in May 2019. It is followed by Germany, with almost a million visitors, and France, with 926,000 people, three times more than last year.
These good results have as a direct consequence the increase in income for the sector. In the month of May alone, the total expenditure of international tourists amounted to 8,023 million euros, comparable to the pre-pandemic level. In addition, the average spending per traveler is striking, which was 1,152 euros compared to 1,028 in the same month of 2019, 12% more. On a daily basis, average spending rose by almost 26% to 177 euros. An important factor is that the average stay in May was 6.5 days compared to 6.3 days in 2019.
“So far this year, and before the start of the strong summer months, Spain has recovered practically eight out of ten international tourists in 2019. The good prospects we have for the high season, based on the reservations already confirmed to travel to Spain, allow us to confirm that international tourism will continue to recover in the coming months, even in the current context of rising prices, thanks to the fact that our country is very competitive and the price increase is a global phenomenon,” appreciated in a statement the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto.
Over the entire first five months of the year, tourist spending is close to pre-pandemic levels at €22,776 million, just 1% below 2019.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
