There has been a significant increase of 420 per cent in the first half of 2023 in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Spain.
As the data provided by Spanish Tourism Institute, Turespaña, explain, the expenditures of Chinese tourists during this period have also seen an impressive surge of 592 per cent compared to the corresponding timeframe in the previous year.
In this regard, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, emphasised that the resurgence of the Asian market, particularly the influx of Chinese tourists, is highly encouraging for the tourism sector.
“In 2023, with the additions this summer, we will recover 80 per cent of pre-pandemic connections, and 2024 will surely be the year of full consolidation of this market, which is so important for our country,” he said.
South Korea & Japan Contributed to Tourist Flow of Spain During This Year
According to data from Turespaña, the remaining two prominent Asian nations contributing to Spain’s tourist influx have also witnessed remarkable growth during this period. The number of visitors from South Korea has surged by 258.4 per cent, coupled with a 215 per cent surge in expenditures when contrasted with the corresponding period in the preceding year.
Meanwhile, Japan continues to exhibit substantial growth rates, with arrivals surging by 200 per cent and spending showing a robust increase of 134 per cent.
Among the nations surveyed by Turespaña within the American continent, a remarkable surge is observed in the influx of visitors from the United States. The arrival of American tourists has spiked by an impressive 54.7 per cent in comparison to the initial semester of 2022.
Moreover, the collective spending by tourists from the US has seen a significant upswing of 61 per cent when juxtaposed with the corresponding period from the previous year.
“The US market is of capital importance for our tourism sector. Its progressive and notable recovery speaks highly of Spain’s ability to generate tourism proposals that aspire to excellence,” Minister Gómez pointed out in this regard.
British Tourists Spend Most Money in Spain
In the first six months of 2023, British tourists spend most in Spain, accounting for 18 per cent of the total expenditures and 20.7 per cent of tourists.
Germany secures second place in spending, contributing 12.7 per cent this year compared to last year, and third place in terms of visitor numbers. France, positioned third in terms of tourism spending after the UK and Germany, contributes 7.9 per cent to the total spending. It holds the second position in terms of tourist flow, accounting for 13 per cent of all incoming tourists.
In total, in 2023, Portugal has shown remarkable growth in contrast to 2022, with a 27.1 per cent increase in tourist arrivals and a 47.4 per cent surge in spending. Another notable market is the Netherlands, which experienced an increase, too, surpassing 3.9 million, compared to the 3.6 million recorded in 2019.
