Spain sees a remarkable surge of 8.2 million tourist arrivals in May 2023

Friday, July 7, 2023

Spain experienced a remarkable surge in international tourism during May 2023, welcoming a record-breaking 8.2 million visitors, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). This marked an impressive 18 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 and a four percent increase compared to May 2019, showcasing the country’s strong recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

The influx of tourists also resulted in a historical milestone in terms of spending, with a total expenditure of €9.73 million. This represented a significant 21 percent increase from the previous year and an equally impressive 19 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the positive economic impact of the tourism sector.

The first five months of 2023 proved to be highly successful for Spain’s tourism industry, with a total of 29.2 million arrivals recorded. This remarkable figure reflected a substantial 28 percent growth compared to the same period in the previous year. The total spending during this period amounted to €35.4 million, displaying a notable 32 percent increase from the previous year and a solid 16 percent increase compared to 2019.

The data provided by the INE also revealed encouraging trends in tourist spending patterns. In May, the average expenditure per tourist reached €1,183, indicating a three percent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the average daily spending rose by 11.6 percent to €185, suggesting higher expenditure per day among tourists.

The statistics highlighted the preference for longer trips, as most tourists stayed in Spain for four to seven nights, with over 4.2 million visitors falling into this duration category. This represented a substantial annual increase of 22.8 percent in the length of stay, further emphasising the appeal of extended trips among travelers visiting Spain in May.

The record-breaking numbers and increased spending in May 2023 demonstrate Spain’s attractiveness as a tourist destination and signify a promising recovery for the country’s tourism industry.

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