Spain | Analysis of national tourist flows in real time. September-December of 2023

The last months of the year have been characterized by an improvement in tourist spending in Spain compared to the summer, driven by the good behavior of consumption by both Spaniards and foreigners. This is what is inferred from BBVA credit card spending data.

Key points

• Key points:
• Between September and December 2023, total tourist spending (domestic and foreign) would have been 52 pp above what was observed during the same period in 2019 (7 pp more than in the previous quarter).
• In the same period, tourist spending by Spaniards outside their usual province of residence would have been 38 pp above the 2019 records (3 pp more than in the previous quarter). National spending hit the all-time high in October, when it reached 42 pp above the 2019 records (50 pp if spending by Spaniards abroad is excluded).
• The monthly evolution of foreign spending was growing throughout the four-month period and reached historical highs in December (66 pp above the same period in 2019).
• During the Christmas festivities, tourist spending by Spaniards outside their usual province of residence was 32 pp above the 2019 records, improving on previous years. The advance was greater in foreign tourism (71 pp above 2019 levels).
• In 2023, tourist spending by Spaniards outside their usual province of residence was 35 pp above the 2019 records (13 pp more than in 2022). The advance was greater if the effect of foreign tourism is added (47 pp above 2019 levels, 17 pp more than in 2022).

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