Record foreign tourist spending in Catalonia in first quarter of 2015; 12.6% increase

Barcelona (ACN).- Foreign tourists spent a record €2.289 billion in Catalonia in the first quarter of 2015, 12.6% more than in the same period last year, according to the Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGATUR) of the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. This figure surpasses the previous records set in the first quarters of 2014 and 2013, official results published on Monday reveal. This year, the average amount spent per stay in Catalonia between January and March amounted to €854 per foreign visitor, 7% more than in 2014. The average daily spend was €142 per person during this period, 8.3% more than the first quarter of 2014. Catalonia accounted for 21.3% of foreign tourist spending in Spain during the first 3 months of 2015, while total spending by foreign tourists amounted to €10.764 billion, also a new peak.

In terms of tourist spending in the first quarter of 2015, the Canaries were the only Spanish Autonomous Community to perform better than Catalonia, with €3.56 billion generated. Although this figure represents a 1.5% drop on 2014, it still accounts for 33.1% of Spain's overall revenue. Andalusia comes in third position with €1.54 billion, followed by Madrid (€1.225 billion), the Valencia Autonomous Community (€827 million) and the Balearic Islands (€483 million).

In Spain, Catalonia comes second for average daily spend per stay

For each trip to Catalonia, tourists spent on average €854 per person, that is to say 7% more than in 2014. In this respect, the Canaries (€1,133 per person, -2.2%), Andalusia (€1,154 per person, -0.8%), Madrid (€1,177 per person, +7%), the Valencia Autonomous Community (€888, + 3.2%) and the Balearic Islands (€939, -3.1%) are all ahead of Catalonia.

However, the average daily spend in Catalonia amounted to €142 (8.3% higher than in 2014), representing the second-best result in the whole of Spain. Madrid is the leading area in this respect, with tourists spending an average of €150 per day (4.3% less than in 2014). In the Canaries, daily spending was €117 per day (+3.8%), in Andalusia it was €101 per day (-3.8 %), in Valencia €84 (+7.1%), and in the Balearic Islands €104 (+7%). The Spanish average was €116 per day, representing a 3.1% increase over 2014 figures.

In Spain as a whole, tourism spending totalled €10.764 billion (+7%), while average daily spending was €116 per person, 3.1% more than last year. Out of the total overall spending, €6.947 billion went to the hotel industry while the remaining €3.817 billion went to other sectors.

For total spending in Spain, the UK represents the largest source market with €1.884 billion, followed by Germany (€1.691 billion), Nordic countries (€1.344 billion), France (€1.037 billion) and Italy (€503 million). 

Foreign tourists spent €946 million in Catalonia in March, 18.6% more than last year

In March 2015, foreign tourists spent €946 million in Catalonia, which is 18.6% more than last year and accounts for 22.5% of foreign tourist spending in Spain. While average spending per stay amounted to €872 per foreign visitor (+9.8%), daily spending was €155 per person (+10.4%). The Easter holidays started in late March for many people this year, and the Mobile World Congress – which is the world's top event for the mobile phone-related industries and takes place each year in Barcelona – was held in early March for the first time, instead of taking place in late February.

With regard to Spain as a whole, foreign tourists spent €4.197 billion, 5.4% more than last year. However, the average spend per stay decreased to €1,010 per foreign visitor (-1.1%), with average daily spending also dropping, to €121 (-0.4%).