HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Spain's Tourism Institute, Turespaña, has recently unveiled its latest insights into the global tourism landscape, providing a comprehensive look at the second quarter of 2023 and the accumulated data for the first half of the year. This report encompasses 19 key countries, including 15 from Europe, three from Asia (China, Japan, and South Korea), and one from the Americas (United States), revealing important trends in Spain's tourism sector.

Among the highlights, the triumvirate of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France continues to dominate as the leading sources of tourists to Spain. The United Kingdom leads the pack in both tourist spending, accounting for 18% of the total, and visitor numbers, contributing 20.7% of the total arrivals. Impressively, in the first half of 2023, visitors from the UK increased by nearly 20% compared to the previous year, accompanied by a 16% surge in spending.

Germany follows closely, ranking second in spending with 12.7% of this semester's total and third in terms of visitor numbers at 12.9%. The German market saw a robust growth of 10.8% in tourist arrivals during this first half, paired with a 12% boost in spending.

France, in turn, holds its ground as the third-largest contributor to tourism expenditure, with a 7.9% share of the total. As the second-largest source of tourists, accounting for 13% of all arrivals, France witnessed substantial growth in both visitor numbers (23.3% increase) and spending (24% increase) during the initial six months of this year.

Chinese arrivals surge 420%

However, the spotlight falls on the resurgence of the Asian tourism market, particularly China. Tourist arrivals from China saw an astronomical 420% surge in the first half of 2023, coupled with a staggering 592% surge in spending, compared to the same period in the previous year. This impressive revival can be attributed to the alleviation of COVID-19-related restrictions that previously hindered growth in 2022. Notably, Chinese tourists are no longer met with entry barriers, requiring only an antigen test for their return.

Furthermore, Spain's status as an Approved Destination for China further bolsters its appeal in this crucial market. South Korea and Japan, fellow Asian players, have also experienced considerable growth this semester, with tourist arrivals from South Korea jumping by 258.4%, accompanied by a 215% surge in spending. Japan maintained its impressive momentum from 2022, with a 200% increase in arrivals and a 134% rise in spending, both based on data provided by Turespaña using INE microdata.

Shifting our gaze towards the Americas, the United States emerges as a significant player. The number of American tourists visiting Spain surged by 54.7% in comparison to the first half of 2022, while total tourist spending by Americans skyrocketed by 61% during the same period. An interesting development is the increase in direct routes between the US and Spanish destinations, totaling 23 in 2023, one more than in the preceding year.

Héctor Gómez, the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, highlighted the importance of the US market's recovery and its propensity for high-quality experiences like culture and gastronomy, which contribute to its sustained year-round appeal. Gómez also praised Spain's position as a safe, sustainable, and modern destination that aligns well with the preferences of the discerning American tourist.

Notably, this year's executive summaries from Turespaña have painted a vivid picture of the dynamic shifts in tourist patterns and preferences, providing invaluable insights for professionals and policymakers alike. These insights will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in steering Spain's tourism sector toward continued growth and success.

Source

https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/serviciosdeprensa/notasprensa/industria/paginas/2023/070823-turistas-desde-china-turespana.aspx