The Catalan region reaches a total of 17 million visitors, 3.8% more than 2015

Spain has broken the 2016 record of mass visitors for the fourth consecutive year. A total of 75.3 million people came to Spain, which is 7.2 million more than the previous year; according to the figures analysed by Minister of Energy and Tourism Alvaro Nadal, this is a 9.9% increase from 2015.

According to the data accumulated from January to November, Catalonia was the main target for tourists in 2016, with a total of 17 million visitors; 3.8% more than last year. The Spanish islands are following behind with 12.9 millions of visitors and the Canary Islands with 12 million of tourists. Nadal further highlighted an increase of inland areas. “They improved new markets and products, as seen in regions such as Aragon (increased by 64.7%), Castilla-La Mancha (32.8%) and Extremadura (31.3%)”.

Overall, based on the data, tourists who visited Spain spent around 77,000 million euros, which is an increase of 8.3%. The average expenditure of each tourist was around 1,023 euros (3.75% increase); the average daily expenditure of 138 euros, a 6.5% increase.

The number of tourists that visited Spain in 2016 increased by 8.3%

After the results were revealed, Nadal stated “We congratulate all Spaniards for these data and feel proud” while remarking that the economic policy future “should observe this consolidate sector“; after the tourism sector showed a “strong momentum“, confirming the predictions of 2016 being “exceptional year“.

Nadal, further stated that these figures showed the “good work” Barcelona has done in this sector at an international standard; supposedly rated as ” the most competitive in the world“.

During 2016, The majority of tourist coming to Spain were coming from United Kingdom, France and Germany. The UK was the main market with a total of 16.9 million Britons, which is 12.5% more than the previous year. Though the Brexit was officially confirmed by 2016, this didn’t seem to affect the British tourists. France followed behind by 10.8 milion visitors (+7.1%) and Germany with 10.7 million visitors (+ 6.1%).

 

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Sources: El Pais
Photocredits: Ajutament de Barcelona