Tourists spent 20.5% more in October than last year

Madrid (ACN.) – Catalonia’s tourism revenues in October amounted to € 1.25 billion, which is to say 20.5 % more than the same month last year. These latest figures, registered by the Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGATUR), were released by the Spanish Ministry of Industry on Wednesday. The survey confirms Catalonia’s leading position for tourist expenditure in Spain. Indeed, it accounts for 22.8 % of the total Spanish tourism revenues and is ahead of the Canaries (€1.11 billion) and Balearic Islands (€923 million). This October, visitors have spent an average of €936 during their stay in Catalonia, meaning a 8.3 % increase compared to October 2012; €132 per day, which represents a 3.7% increase. From January to October 2013, total revenues derived from tourism in Catalonia have amounted to 12.67 billion. The survey stressed that the French market had been a main contributor to the increase in tourist expenditure, while visitors from the UK still accounted for most of the tourism revenues.

With its €1,25 billion revenues in October, Catalonia is ahead of the Canary Islands (€1,11 billion) Balearic Islands (€923 million) and Andalusia (€ 828 million). In the meantime, Madrid’s region registered an increase of only 4.6 %, well below the Spanish average of 16.8 %, with €487 million and an average spending of €1,126 per stay. Valencia (also called Valencia Country) has achieved revenues of € 470 million, 21.5 % more than last October while the Balearic Islands tourism revenues reached € 923 million, meaning 18.3 % more.

In the period from January to October, Catalonia’s tourism revenues amounted to 12,673 million, that is to say 12.7 % more than last year. Catalonia also accounts for 24.1 % of Spain’s entire tourism revenues during 2013 and is therefore leading the country for tourist expenditure, ahead of the Balearic Islands. During this period, the average spending for accommodation in Catalonia increased by 5.2%, reaching €908, while the average daily spending amounted to €120, meaning a 0.8 % increase.

Tourist expenditure registered a significant growth in the whole of Spain

In the whole of Spain, tourist expenditure has set a new record with a 16.8 % growth to reach €5.48 billion in October. This increase was especially significant for French tourists, who have spent 41.3 % more, while Germans spent 24.2 % more and Scandinavians 21.4 % more.

Between January and October, tourist expenditure in the whole of Spain rose by 8.2% to reach €52.55 billion. The average spending per tourist increased by 3.2 % to reach €870, while the daily expenditure rose to €109, meaning a 2.7 % increase. According to the survey, these high figures are due primarily to the increase in the number of tourists who have come to the Spain in October (+ 6.9%).

UK visitors main contributors to tourism revenues and most significant increase in expenditure for the French

Whilst the majority of tourists who come to Catalonia are from France, in Catalonia as in the whole of Spain, visitors from the UK account for most of tourist expenditure, with €1,174 million, meaning 19.2 % more than last October. But the survey highlighted that the French tourists spent on average 41.3 % more, and are now ranked third with €500 million. German tourists have spent 24.2 % more to reach €1.09 billion and the Nordic countries 21.4 % more to reach €518 million.

Regarding the type of accommodation, the hotels account for an expenditure of €3.78 billion across the country, meaning 18.6 % more, and 68% of the tourist expenditure in October, while other kinds of accommodation have registered €1,699 million, that is to say 13.1% more. The majority of tourists, who do not travel through tour operators, have spent €3,585 million in October, up 22.1 %, while those who did buy holiday package deals account for €1,891 million of tourist expenditure, up 8%.