Spending by international tourists reached 10.066 million euros until March, representing an increase of 8.1% over the same period in 2013 and a new record, according to the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Tourism, after the latest data from the survey produced by Egatur and the General Department of Knowledge and Tourism Studies was published.
In March, foreign tourists visiting Spain spent 3.982 million euros, an increase of 6.6%, the highest historical increase. Canary was the community that received the most of the total volume for the fifth consecutive month.
This growth is mainly due to the increase in foreign tourist arrivals in March (+0.7%) and the average expenditure per trip (5.9%).
In the first quarter, the average daily expenditure increased by 2.5% to 113 euros, and the average expenditure per tourist increased by 0.8% to 999 euros.
The bulk of spending was done by the German tourists with 1.744 million euros of which accounted for 17.3% of the total and with 11.6% higher spending, despite the fact the amount of tourists from this country grew only 0.3%. Their average expenditure grew significantly, while the average time spent on vacation declined.
Thus, British tourists came in second with 1.644 billion, up 7.8%, despite the decline in arrivals (-3.3%). They accounted for 16.3% of total spending with increases in average spending per trip and day, 4.9% and 6.1% respectively, while they cut their average stay.
The third place was taken by the Scandinavian tourists who spent 1.515 million euros, up 10.2%. The average daily expenditure increased significantly to 130 euros, up 5.6%. Canary captured 61% of the cost generated by this market, becoming the main target.
French tourists, with 941 million, spent 2.1% less up to March with an average expenditure per visitor of 567 euros (-12.3%) and a daily expenditure of 93 euros (-9%). Their budget decreased the most.
America was ranked as the fifth largest market with 380 million euros, registering the largest increases in average daily spending (+12.8%) and person (14.5%) and having the tourists with the highest average spending in this period with 2,079 euros per person.
Increases in tourist from Italy and the Netherlands are notable.
Canary ? the Biggest Winner
By region, the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Andalusia, and Madrid were the highest recipients of the volume of expenditure.
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Source: Spain: New record in foreign tourists spending, Tourism Review http://www.tourism-review.com/foreign-tourists-spending-in-spain-growth-by-8-precents-news4119 published May 05, 2014. Viewed May 05, 2014.