Spain is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors from around the world each year. According to World Population Review, in 2019 Spain was the second most visited country in the world with 83.7 million international tourists. International tourism expenditure in Spain reached 67.56 billion euros that same year and its tourism industry accounted for 12.3% of GDP – creating 2.8 million jobs or 14.3% of total employment across the country’s 15,000 hotels with nearly three million beds available for guests visiting from abroad; 81% were European travelers while 3.8 million came from Britain alone.
Catalonia was particularly popular among foreign visitors as it welcomed 18+million people last year – making it one of Europe’s top destinations overall thanks to its 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites (third-highest number globally). Unfortunately due to COVID-19 pandemic arrivals dropped 77%, but average length stays still remained at 7 days and 65 percent traveled for leisure purposes rather than business trips which only made up 35%. The Spanish Mediterranean coast also attracted 35 percent all international visitor spending during 2020 despite this decrease too.
The US sent 917 thousand tourists over who stayed an average 6 nights per visit whilst domestic travel within Spain saw 181+million trips taken by residents throughout 2019 – proving just how much Spaniards love their own culture too. Lastly 514 meetings took place internationally here last year making it third on ICCA rankings list worldwide so there really is something special about this beautiful nation no matter what type traveler you are looking forward to exploring soon…
Spain Tourism Statistics Overview
Spain’s tourism industry accounted for 12.3% of the country’s GDP in 2019.
The fact that Spain’s tourism industry accounted for 12.3% of the country’s GDP in 2019 is a testament to the immense economic impact of the tourism sector in Spain. This statistic highlights the importance of tourism to the Spanish economy and the potential for further growth in the sector. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in the tourism industry to ensure its continued success.
The number of jobs created by tourism in Spain was around 2.8 million in 2019, representing 14.3% of total employment.
This statistic is a powerful indicator of the importance of tourism to Spain’s economy. It demonstrates that tourism is a major source of employment in the country, accounting for nearly one-sixth of all jobs. This highlights the need for continued investment in the tourism sector to ensure that it remains a key driver of economic growth and job creation in Spain.
Spain had over 15,000 hotels in 2019, with nearly three million beds for tourists.
This statistic is a testament to the sheer size and scope of Spain’s tourism industry. It highlights the fact that the country is well-equipped to accommodate the millions of tourists who flock to its shores each year, with plenty of beds and hotels to go around. This is a key factor in why Spain is such a popular destination for travelers, and why it continues to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
Catalonia was the most visited region by international tourists in Spain in 2020, with over 18.3 million visitors.
This statistic is a testament to the immense popularity of Catalonia as a tourist destination in Spain. It highlights the region’s immense appeal to international visitors, with over 18.3 million people choosing to visit in 2020. This is a clear indication of the potential for growth in the Spanish tourism industry, and a reminder of the importance of investing in the region’s infrastructure and attractions.
81% of tourists who visited Spain in 2019 were from European countries.
This statistic is a telling indication of the popularity of Spain as a tourist destination among Europeans. It highlights the fact that Spain is a preferred destination for travelers from within the continent, and that it is a major draw for European tourists. This information is important for anyone looking to gain insight into the tourism industry in Spain, as it provides a clear picture of the country’s appeal to travelers from Europe.
The largest source of tourists visiting Spain in 2020 came from the United Kingdom, with approximately 3.8 million tourists.
This statistic is a telling indication of the popularity of Spain as a tourist destination. It shows that the United Kingdom is the largest source of tourists visiting Spain in 2020, with a whopping 3.8 million visitors. This is a clear indication that Spain is a desirable destination for travelers from the UK, and that the country is a major player in the global tourism industry.
In 2019, Spain had 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the third-highest number in the world.
The fact that Spain has the third-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to preserving its history and traditions. This is an important factor to consider when looking at Spain’s tourism statistics, as it is likely to draw in visitors from around the world who are interested in exploring the country’s unique cultural offerings.
Spain saw a 77% decrease in international tourist arrivals in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Spain’s tourism industry. It highlights the immense losses suffered by the country’s tourism sector, and serves as a warning to other countries of the potential economic consequences of the pandemic. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking the necessary precautions to protect public health and safety.
The average length of stay of international tourists in Spain in 2021 is 7.3 days.
This statistic is a key indicator of the success of Spain’s tourism industry. It shows that international tourists are spending more time in the country, which suggests that they are enjoying their stay and are likely to return in the future. This is great news for the Spanish economy, as it means more money is being spent on accommodation, food, and other services. Additionally, it indicates that Spain is a desirable destination for tourists, which could lead to an increase in the number of visitors in the future.
In 2020, nearly 39.6% of overnight stays took place in hotels located in coastal regions.
This statistic is a telling indication of the popularity of coastal regions in Spain for tourists. It shows that a significant portion of overnight stays in Spain are in coastal areas, suggesting that these areas are a major draw for tourists. This highlights the importance of coastal regions in Spain’s tourism industry and the need to ensure that these areas are well-maintained and attractive to visitors.
Approximately 65.7% of tourists who visited Spain in 2020 traveled for leisure purposes.
This statistic is a telling indication of the impact of the pandemic on Spain’s tourism industry. It shows that despite the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, a significant portion of tourists still chose to visit Spain for leisure purposes. This highlights the resilience of Spain’s tourism industry and the potential for further growth in the future.
Spain was home to 34 Blue Flag beaches in 2020, the most of any country in the world.
The fact that Spain had the most Blue Flag beaches in 2020 speaks volumes about the country’s commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable beach experience for tourists. This is a great selling point for Spain as a tourist destination, as it shows that the country is dedicated to providing a high-quality beach experience for visitors. This statistic is a testament to the country’s commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable beach experience for tourists, and it is sure to attract more visitors to Spain’s beautiful beaches.
In 2019, Spain had 235 Michelin-starred restaurants, making it the country with the sixth-most Michelin stars in the world.
This statistic is a testament to the culinary excellence of Spain, highlighting the country’s impressive selection of Michelin-starred restaurants. It speaks to the quality of the food and the level of sophistication of the Spanish dining experience, making it an attractive destination for food-lovers and tourists alike.
The Spanish Mediterranean coast attracted 35% of all international visitor spending in 2020.
This statistic is a testament to the immense popularity of the Spanish Mediterranean coast as a tourist destination. It highlights the fact that the region is a major draw for international visitors, accounting for a significant portion of their spending. This is a clear indication of the region’s potential as a tourist destination and its ability to attract visitors from around the world.
Spain received 917,000 U.S. visitors in 2019, representing a 6.9% share of total international tourists to the country.
This statistic is a testament to the popularity of Spain as a tourist destination, as it shows that the country received a significant number of visitors from the United States in 2019. This indicates that Spain is a desirable destination for American travelers, and that the country is likely to continue to attract a large number of visitors from the United States in the future. This is an important factor to consider when discussing Spain’s tourism industry, as it demonstrates the potential for growth in the sector.
Spanish residents took 181.8 million domestic trips in 2019.
This statistic is a testament to the popularity of domestic travel in Spain. It shows that Spanish residents are taking advantage of the country’s many attractions and destinations, and that they are eager to explore their own country. This is a positive sign for the Spanish tourism industry, as it indicates that domestic tourism is a viable and profitable market.
Spain is the third most popular destination for meetings and conventions globally, hosting 514 international meetings in 2019.
This statistic is a testament to Spain’s popularity as a destination for meetings and conventions, highlighting the country’s appeal to international visitors. It demonstrates that Spain is a desirable location for business travelers, and that the country is well-equipped to host large-scale events. This is an important factor in the success of Spain’s tourism industry, as it helps to attract more visitors and generate more revenue.
Conclusion
Spain is a popular tourist destination, with 83.7 million international tourists visiting in 2019 and the country’s tourism industry accounting for 12.3% of its GDP that same year. International tourism expenditure reached 67.56 billion euros in 2018, while 2.8 million jobs were created by the sector in 2019 – 14.3% of total employment at the time – thanks to over 15,000 hotels offering nearly three million beds for visitors across Spain’s 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 34 Blue Flag beaches (the most of any country).
The largest source of tourists came from Europe (81%), followed by those from the United Kingdom (3.8m) and U.S.(917k), who together accounted for 10% of all international visitor spending on Spanish Mediterranean coast destinations alone during 2020 despite an overall 77% decrease due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions worldwide that same year; however average length stays still remain high at 7 days per visit as domestic trips taken within Spain also increased significantly reaching 181 million last year alongside 514 meetings & conventions hosted globally making it one third most popular destination internationally according to ICCA rankings . With 235 Michelin starred restaurants ranking sixth highest globally , there are plenty more reasons why Spain remains such a desirable holiday spot even after this difficult period.
References
0. – https://www.www.euromonitor.com
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3. – https://www.worldpopulationreview.com
4. – https://www.whc.unesco.org
5. – https://www.www.ceicdata.com
6. – https://www.www.statista.com
7. – https://www.data.worldbank.org
8. – https://www.www.spain.info
9. – https://www.www.iccaworld.org
10. – https://www.www.blueflag.global
11. – https://www.www.worldbank.org
