tourists

During the first six months of 2013, foreign tourists spent 10.5% more in Catalonia than they did during the same period of 2012, according to the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. In total, foreign tourists spent €5.73 billion in Catalonia between January and June, which represents 23.5% of the total amount spent in the whole of Spain. The average expenditure per visitor in Catalonia is €860, up 2.2% on last year. During the month of June, tourists in Catalonia spent €1.54 billion, which is up 9% from 2012.

The number of tourists in Barcelona hotels grew by 0.7% in 2012 compared to the previous year. In total, Barcelona hosted 7.44 million tourists in the city’s hotels. A study by the Barcelona Tourism board revealed that the significant increase in foreign tourists compensated for the 6.8% drop in Spanish visitors. The number of tourists from Russia and Eastern Europe increased by 32%, those from the United Kingdom grew by 12%, those from the United States grew by 4.7% and those from Germany increased by 4.3%. Spanish visitors continue to be the largest group of guests to Barcelona hotels, with 1.62 million people.

Out of the 57.7 million foreign tourists who visited Spain last year, 25% of them went to Catalonia, which was the most visited destination. 14,447,814 foreign visitors travelled to Catalonia in 2012, a 9.9% increase compared to the 2011 figures. This figure is particularly relevant compared to the Spanish average: the total number of foreigners visiting Spain only increased by 2.7% last year. The largest market sending tourists to Catalonia continues to be France. Regarding the data for December, the number of foreign tourists visiting Catalonia only that month was 622,258 people, a 7% increase compared to data from December 2011.

2 million foreigners visited Catalonia in August, a 14.7% increase compared to August 2011. In total, in the first 8 months of the year, 10.4 million international visitors came to Catalonia, a 12.1% raise compared to the same period from 2011. Madrid was visited by 381,000 foreigners in August, a 29.7% decrease. In the whole of Spain, the number of international tourists reached 7.9 million in August, a 5% increase. Out of all the tourists who visited Spain in August, 25.4% went to Catalonia.

The arrival of foreign tourists with a greater purchasing power increases tourist income in Catalonia by 15% during the first four months of the year, compared to the same period last year. Traditionally Greece was the main destination for Russian citizens on holidays; however, the economic and political crisis the Hellenic country is going through has placed Catalonia on top of the list of Russian tourist priorities.

The number of international tourists who have visited Catalonia over the first three months of 2012 reached 2,162,337 people. This figure is a 9.9% increase over last year and represents 23.5% of the total number of foreigners visiting Spain.

Catalan hotels registered in 2011 a new tourist record of 48.029.385 overnight stays. Foreign tourism increased by 10.6% in 2011. However the economic crisis led to a 2.5% fall in domestic tourism. Catalonia hosted 16.5 million of tourists last year, a 5% increase regarding 2010 figures.

1.9 million foreign tourists visited Catalonia in August, representing a 2.9% increase on the same month in 2010. Catalonia hosted almost a quarter of all international tourists visiting Spain. The number of international visitors who came to Spain in August increased 9.4% compared to last year, totalling 7.64 million.

The CNA went to the streets to ask tourists what they thought of some of the traditions that live on here. Tourists appear unaware of Catalan culture suggesting that it is not sufficiently promoted internationally.

Escaping city life in a metropolitan area the size of Barcelona is easy thanks to the beaches, which were the result of a profound urban reform. 4,5 kilometres of nature, open to the sea, the are the biggest recreational area in Barcelona. Despite an ongoing controversy over the illegality of certain vendors found on the beach, the space remains a popular get-away for locals and tourists alike.

Catalonia consolidates its position as the first tourist destination within Spain, with 26% of all visits. International tourism within Catalonia increases in July by 5.1% compared to last year.

A pilot programme set up by the Catalan Police in one of Barcelona’s districts will enable tourists to report minor thefts on city streets from their hotels, without needing to go to a police station. The programme will be in place on a trial basis in July and August in 18 hotels. If successful, it could be applied to all Barcelona hotels.

Catalonia’s International Tourism Fair is currently taking place and will run until this Sunday. Barcelona broke all records in 2010 regarding visitors. 7.3 million tourists visited the Catalan capital and there were 14 million hotel nights booked by visitors. The Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, who is in charge of tourism, expects 2011 for Catalonia to be “exceptional”.

The Catalan Minister for Innovation, Universities and Businesses, Josep Huguet, has called out to tourist agencies, asking them to develop more creative touristic offers. His plea comes at a time when the tourist industry is rising. The month of August shows a 90% occupancy of the hotels along the Catalan coast.

The number of tourists that visited Catalonia this May increased by 2.3% in comparison to May of 2009, despite the volcano ash cloud. Catalonia remains the first autonomous community in number of foreign visitors.