The Asian market (South Korea and Japan) continue to experience triple-digit growth figures

MADRID, 7 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Asian market continues to experience triple-digit growth figures in Spain. The number of tourists from China has increased by 420% in the first half of the year and spending by 592%, compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data estimated by Turespaña based on INE microdata. Other positive data comes from the hand of Americans whose arrivals have increased by 55% in the accumulated first six months of the year with an increase of more than 60% in spending.

The Tourism Institute of Spain (Turespaña) has published this Monday on its website the executive files of tourist-sending markets corresponding to the second quarter of 2023, which includes the accumulated data for the first half of the year.

The analysis of the 19 countries studied in the files -15 European, three Asian (China, Japan and South Korea) and one American (United States)- reveals the consolidation of the United Kingdom, Germany and France as the main source markets of tourists to Spain, the intense rebound in the Asian market, led by China, and the strong rebound in the United States.

For the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, the recovery of the Asian market, mainly tourists from China, is excellent news for the tourism sector in Spain.

"In 2023, with the additions this summer, we will recover 80% of the pre-pandemic connections, and 2024 will surely be the year of full consolidation of this market, which is so important for our country," explained the minister.

The number of tourists from China has increased by 420% in the first half of 2023 and spending by 592%, compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data estimated by Turespaña based on INE microdata.

Due to the strong restrictions imposed by the Government of the Asian country due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the percentages of both growth and spending were relatively low in 2022 compared to other countries, which has had an impact on the strong figures for growth this year.

Currently, there are no restrictions on the arrival of Chinese tourists, and the country's authorities only require an antigen test for the return. In addition, Spain is once again a tourist destination qualified as 'Approved Destination Status', which includes the countries that China allows group travel.

For their part, the other two major Asian countries that send tourists to Spain have also experienced great growth this semester.

The flow of tourists from South Korea has increased by 258.4% and spending by 215%, compared to the same semester of the previous year. Japan also continues to show very high growth figures (200% in arrivals and 134% in spending), as it did in 2022, according to data estimated by Turespaña.

Of the countries analyzed by Turespaña, the increase in visitors from the United States is particularly noteworthy. The arrival of tourists of this nationality has increased by 54.7% compared to the first semester of 2022.

In addition, total tourist spending in the United States experienced a growth of 61% compared to the same period last year. It should also be noted that this 2023 has 23 direct routes between US and Spanish destinations, one more than in 2022.

"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. We are a safe, sustainable and modern destination that American tourists, With a high purchasing power and high quality standards, choose as one of the favorite countries to enjoy your vacation days in Europe. That is a triumph for the country", explains the minister.

In addition, it stands out that the American is a very interesting tourist who spends significantly more than the average cost of other markets and opts for local experiences, such as culture or gastronomy. "Therefore, he is a more seasonally adjusted tourist than the one who comes more focused on the months of sun and sand," concludes the minister.

The United Kingdom, Germany and France continue to be the major source countries for tourists to Spain, with the British at the head of these three markets.

Thus, in the accumulated figures for the first six months of the year, the British market ranks first in both tourist spending, contributing 18% of the total, and in flow of tourists, 20.7% of the total. In this semester, visitors from the United Kingdom have increased by 19.8% compared to 2022 and have spent 16% more.

Germany, for its part, is in second place in spending (12.7% in this semester compared to 2022) and in third place in visitors (12.9%). Regarding growth, tourists arriving from Germany have increased by 10.8% this first semester compared to the same period of the previous year, and have also spent 12% more.

With respect to France, it is the third market in tourism spending -after the United Kingdom and Germany-, contributing 7.9% of the total, and the second country in tourist flow (13% of all tourists arriving in Spain ). The arrival of French tourists has also experienced remarkable growth in the first half of the year, 23.3% more, as has spending, which has increased by 24%.

In the accumulated of 2023, Portugal shows significant growth compared to 2022, both in the flow of tourists (27.1%) and, above all, in spending (47.4%). Spain is the first destination of the Portuguese abroad and the first recipient country of their spending.

Another interesting market for Spain, according to Turespaña, would be the Netherlands. The data for Dutch arrivals in Spain in 2022, with more than 3.9 million, far exceeds the 3.6 million in 2019, which shows a complete recovery of this issuing market towards Spain after the pandemic.

And in the first six months the data continues to grow compared to the same period in 2022, both in the flow of tourists (0.5%) and in spending (3.7%).