Spanish citizens spent a new record on their trips in 2023, standing at 16.8% compared to a year before. The total amount of spending rose to 58.75 billion euros, which is almost 11 billion more than in 2019, the year before the coronavirus pandemic. According to figures published this Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), 89.6% of trips had Spain as their main destination and 10.4% abroad, which grew more than national trips.
The number of trips reached 185.9 million, still below historical highs, but the rise in inflation and the increase in average spending per trip means that global spending figures reach maximum levels, as is the case with international tourism data. .
According to INE data, overnight stays corresponding to these trips exceeded 802 million, with an increase of 7.5%. Overall, the average spending per person on trips in 2023 was around 316 euros, with an average daily expense of around 73 euros. The highest average expenditure was in the Balearic Islands (410 euros) followed by the Canary Islands with 346 euros.
Community data
On the other hand, 89.6% of the trips had Spain as their main destination and 10.4% abroad. Spaniards made a total of 19.2 million trips abroad and in Spain the favorite destinations to travel were Andalusia (31.7 million trips), Catalonia (23.7 million) and the Valencian Community (18.4%).
Domestic trips accounted for 80.2% of overnight stays and 67.6% of total expenditure, with an average daily expenditure of 62 euros. For its part, trips abroad accounted for 19.8% of overnight stays and 32.4% of total expenditure, with an average daily expenditure of 120 euros.
By autonomous communities, Andalusia leads those that registered the highest total expenditure with 8.1 million euros, 1.9% more than the previous year, followed by Catalonia with 5.2 million euros (+8.9%) and the Valencian Community with 4.5 million euros spent. in trips 7.7% compared to the previous year.
Among the large capitals, Madrid stands out, which last year 2023 registered almost 12 million trips (+6.4%) and 35.7 million overnight stays (+4.5%). Spending in the community rose by 5.7% to 3,345 million euros, with an average spending per person of 280 euros and an average daily spending of 94 euros.
Fourth quarter data
On the other hand, the statistical institute has also released data for the fourth quarter of the year in which residents in Spain made 41.7 million trips in the fourth quarter, 10% more than in the same period of 2022.
Trips whose main destination was the national territory increased by 9.7% and those made abroad by 12.4%. Leisure, recreational and vacation trips increased by 12.1% in the fourth quarter. For its part, visits to family or friends increased by 6.6% and trips made for business and other professional reasons rose by 13.7%.
The main autonomous communities of destination for residents’ trips in the fourth quarter were Andalusia (16.3% of the total), Catalonia (12.2%) and Comunitat Valenciana (8.7%). Regarding origin, trips made by residents in Catalonia accounted for 16.1% of the total. Behind them were Andalusia (16.0%) and Comunidad de Madrid (15.7%).
By type of accommodation, internal trips in which residents went to the homes of family or friends increased by 8.1%. In trips abroad, hotel accommodation grew by 8.4%. Eliminating the effect of the size of each community, the most travelers were residents of the Foral Community of Navarra (1,172 trips per 1,000 inhabitants), La Rioja (1,155) and the Basque Country (1,131).
Travel spending soars
Total travel spending in the fourth quarter was 12,542 million euros, with an increase of 18.7% compared to the same period in 2022. In trips to a national destination, total spending increased by 15.8% and in those made abroad 24.3%.
The average daily expenditure was 89 euros (72 euros for domestic trips and 144 for trips abroad). By expenditure items, the largest in internal trips was made in bars and restaurants, with 26.1% of the total and an annual increase of 18.4%. In trips abroad, the highest expense was on transportation, with 30.9% of the total and an increase of 21.6%.
By main destination, the highest average daily expenses were recorded on trips to the Balearic Islands (106 euros), the Community of Madrid (99) and the Basque Country (92). And the lowest in Castilla-La Mancha (52 euros), Castilla y León (55) and the Region of Murcia and Extremadura (both 57).
By origin, the highest average daily expenses were made by residents of the Balearic Islands (120 euros), Cantabria (97) and the Canary Islands, Catalonia and the Basque Country (all three with 94). And the minors in Castilla – La Mancha and Extremadura (both 73 euros), and Castilla y León (82).
The month of December recorded the highest number of trips this quarter (15.6 million) and the longest average duration (3.6 overnight stays). According to the INE, 48 million excursions were made in the fourth quarter, with an annual decrease of 1.9%. 96.9% of them were for personal reasons.
