Spain's tourism industry is experiencing a surge in visitors, defying local protests against tourism in popular hotspots.
Recent data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals that the country welcomed 9.6million international visitors in September alone, marking a 9.1 per cent increase from the previous year.
The influx of tourists has been accompanied by a significant boost in spending, with visitors shelling out 12.6billion euros - a 12.7 per cent rise compared to 2023.
The trend is set to continue, as Spain has already hosted nearly 74 million international tourists in the first nine months of the year.
Despite Spain's overall tourism boom, the Balearic Islands experienced a decline in British visitors during September, which coincides with growing local protests against tourism and rising living costs in the region
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British tourists - Spain's largest international visitor group - are playing a part in driving this growth but, now, with a notable shift in preferences.
While traditionally favouring the Balearic Islands, UK travellers are now flocking to other regions, particularly Andalusia, which has welcomed 1.4million international visitors in September, a 10.3 per cent year-on-year increase.
Spending in Andalusia surged by 16.5 per cent, reaching 1.9billion euros.
British tourists were the top spenders overall, contributing 2.5billion euros in September alone, a 9.3 per cent increase from the previous year.
The average visitor to Andalusia spent 175 euros per day, with overall spending per tourist rising to 1,320 euros, marking a 5.6 per cent increase from last year.
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Despite Spain's overall tourism boom, the Balearic Islands experienced a decline in British visitors during September, which coincides with growing local protests against tourism and rising living costs in the region.
However, the islands still welcomed 2.5 million tourists in September, a 2.4 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2023. Notably, spending by international tourists in the Balearics saw significant growth, reaching 2.7 billion euros, up 12.7 per cent year-on-year.
The decrease in British visitors to the Balearics highlights a changing trend in UK traveller preferences, with many opting for alternative destinations within Spain.
This shift illustrates the complex dynamics at play in Spain's tourism sector, where overall growth continues despite localised challenges and varying visitor patterns.
Spain's tourism sector is on course for a record-breaking year, with UK tourists remaining the top spenders (Stock)
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Spain's tourism sector is on course for a record-breaking year, with UK tourists remaining the top spenders despite shifts in preferences.
From January to September, Spain has already welcomed 73.9million international visitors, with total spending up by nearly 17 per cent.
British tourists have spent nearly 14.7million euros in the first nine months of the year, followed by tourists from France and Germany.
Tourists from France, however, are playing a key role in driving spending rises with a significant 26.1 per cent rise across September.
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