Spain received more than 8.8 million international tourists in August, 69.7% more than in the same month of 2021.
United Kingdom was the main country of residence, with over 1.8 million tourists, accounting for 20.8% of the total and an increase of 157.1% compared to August last year.
France and Germany were the following countries with the most tourists visiting Spain. From France, we receive 1.6 million (27.1% more in the annual rate) and from Germany 1.1 million (62.8% more).
Among the other countries of residence, the annual growth was particularly noteworthy in tourists coming from Ireland (106.7%), Italy (106.4%) and the United States (96.8%).
In the first eight months of 2022, the number of tourists visiting Spain increased by 220.2% and reached 48.1 million. 15.1 million arrived in the same period last year.
The main sending countries so far this year were the United Kingdom (with nearly 10.2 million tourists and an annual increase of 560.8%), France (with almost 7.0 million, and an increase of 108.6%) and Germany (with almost 6.6 million tourists, 156.8% more).
Main destination Autonomous Communities
Illes Balears was the main tourist destination in August, with 24.8% of the total. It was followed by Cataluña (21.4%) and Andalucía (14.6%).
Almost 2.2 million tourists came to Illes Balears, 67.2% more than in August last year. The main countries of residence of tourists visiting this Autonomous Community were Germany (28.1% of the total) and the United Kingdom (26.2%).
The number of tourists visiting Cataluña increased by 75.6% and stood at nearly 1.9 million. 29.7% of these tourists came from France and 11.3% from the Rest of Europe.
The third main destination Autonomous Community by a number of tourists was Andalucía, with almost 1.3 million tourists and an annual increase of 83.9%. The United Kingdom was the main country of origin (with 23.2% of the total), followed by France (14.5%).
In the remaining Autonomous Communities, the number of tourists increased by 93.4% in Comunidad de Madrid, 81.9% in Canarias, and0.4% in Comunitat Valenciana.
In the accumulated first eight months of 2022, the Autonomous Communities that received the most tourists were Cataluña (with nearly 9.9 million and an increase of 245.0% as compared with the same period in 2021), Illes Balears (with nearly 9.7 million and an increase of 148.7%) and Canarias (with more than 7.8 million, and 349.6% more).
Forms of access and main means of accommodation
Most tourists visiting Spain in August came by air, with nearly 6.8 million, representing an annual increase of 74.9%.
Road entries accounted for 41.3% more tourists, railway access registered a 44.4% increase, and port arrivals had an increase of 975.6%.
In August, the number of tourists choosing market accommodation as the main type of accommodation increased by 80.7% at the annual rate. Within this type, hotel accommodation grew by 86.5%, while rented dwellings grew by 51.8%.
On the other hand, non-market accommodation increased by 20.7%. The number of tourists staying in relatives’ or friends’ homes increased by 12.8% and that of those staying in their own dwellings did so by 29.7%.
The main reason, are the length of stay and organization of the trip
In August, Leisure, recreation, and holidays were the main reasons for travelling to Spain for more than 8.1 million tourists, representing an annual increase of 71.0%.
A total of 230,607 tourists arrived for Business and professional reasons (108.4% more) and 453,345 arrived for Other reasons (38.4% more).
A stay of four to seven nights was the main length among tourists in August, with almost 4.1 million tourists and an annual increase of 85.2%.
The number of visitors increased by 28.5% among those without overnight stays (excursionists) and increased by 13.7% among tourists with longer duration (more than 15 nights).
In August, almost 6.5 million tourists travelled without a tourist package, indicating an annual increase of 52.1%. Over 2.3 million tourists travelled with a tourist package, 149.8% more.