Spain received in October the visit of 7.2 million international tourists, 39.4% more than in the same month of 2021.
The United Kingdom was the main country of residence, with over 1.5 million tourists, accounting for 21.3% of the total and an increase of 60.0% as compared to October last year.
Germany and France were the following countries with the most tourists visiting Spain. From Germany, we receive nearly 1.1 million tourists (13.5% more in the annual rate) and from France 917,245 tourists (21.8% more in the annual rate).
Among the other countries of residence, the annual growth was particularly noteworthy in tourists coming from United States (140.2%), Italy (62.5%) and Ireland (53.2%).
In the first 10 months of 2022, the number of tourists visiting Spain increased by 153.7% and reached 63.1 million. 24.9 million came same period last year.
The main sending countries so far this year were the United Kingdom (more than 13.5 million tourists and an annual increase of 311.4%), France (with more than 8.8 million, and an increase of 84.4%) and Germany (with almost 8.8 million tourists, 103.0% more).
Main destination Autonomous Communities
Cataluña was the main tourist destination in October, with 20.7% of the total. It was followed by Illes Balears (18.8%) and Canarias (16.5%).
Almost 1.5 million tourists came to Cataluña, 70.8% more than in October last year. The main countries of residence of tourists visiting this Autonomous Community were France (20.7% of the total) and Rest of Europe (15.5%).
The number of tourists visiting Illes Balears increased by 33.8% and stood nearly 1.4 million. 37.1% of these tourists came from Germany and 26.2% from the United Kingdom.
The third main destination Autonomous Community by number of tourists was Canarias, with almost 1.2 million tourists and an annual increase of 19.1%. the United Kingdom was the main country of origin (with 41.2% of the total), followed by Germany (16.2%).
In the remaining Autonomous Communities the number of tourists increased, by 89.8% in Comunidad de Madrid, and by 35.0% in Comunitat Valenciana and by 29.1% in Andalucía.
In the accumulated first 10 months of 2022, the Autonomous Communities that received the most tourists were Cataluña (with over 13.0 million and an increase of 182.3% as compared with the same period in 2021), Illes Balears (with over 12.9 million and an increase of 112.9%) and Canarias (with more than 9.9 million, and 196.9% more).
Forms of access and main means of accommodation
Most tourists visiting Spain in October came by air, with more than 6.1 million, representing an annual increase of 41.6%. Road entries accounted for 23.6% more tourists, railway access registered a 33.6% more and port arrivals a 78.2% more.
In October, the number of tourists choosing market accommodation as the main type of accommodation increased by 43.1% in the annual rate. Within this type, hotel accommodation grew by 44.1%, while rented dwellings grew by 33.9%.
On the other hand, non-market accommodation increased by 23.1%. The number of tourists staying in relatives or friends’ homes increased by 38.8% and that of those staying in their own dwellings did so by 6.9%.
Main reason, length of stay and organisation of the trip
In October, Leisure, recreation, and holidays were the main reasons for travelling to Spain with more than 6.1 million tourists, representing an annual increase of 35.7%.
A total of 549,505 tourists arrived for Business and professional reasons (89.3% more) and 497,206 arrived for Other reasons (46.7% more).
A stay of four to seven nights was the main length among tourists in October, with more than 3.6 million tourists and an annual increase of 45.0%.
The number of visitors increased by 26.2% among those without overnight stays (excursionists) and increased by 17.7% among tourists with longer duration (more than 15 nights).
In October, almost 5.3 million tourists travelled without a tourist package, indicating an annual increase of 34.0%. Over 1.9 million tourists travelled with a tourist package, 56.6% more.
