Spain has best ever January, with 3.2 million inbound tourists, an

increase of 3.6%

The arrival of inbound tourists hit an all-time high in January 2015, beating last year's record, with 3.2 million inbound tourists, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, according to FRONTUR - the Inbound Tourism Survey, drafted by the General Sub-directorate of Tourism Information and Studies of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

Of particular note among the top emitting markets in January was the United Kingdom with 579,297 tourists, an increase of 4.9%, and Germany, with 458,105 tourists, an increase of 3.3%. The countries with the highest percentage increases were the United States, up 25.1%, with 63,757 tourists, and Italy, up 20.4%, with 214,830 tourists.

With 1,035,430 inbound tourists, the Canary Islands was the most popular autonomous region, followed by Catalonia with 746,948 and Andalusia with 371,524. The highest percentage increase was posted by the Balearic Islands, up 20.9%, followed by Andalusia, up 11.6%.

Main emitting markets

The United Kingdom continues to be the top emitting market for Spain with 579,297 inbound tourists, representing 18.3% of the total and an increase of 4.9%. This was particularly noteworthy in Catalonia and the Canary Islands.

France accounted for 478,453 inbound tourists, representing 15.1% of the total for the month, which meant a 3.1% fall, mainly due to the decline in inbound tourists to Catalonia and the Region of Madrid. The French principally travelled to the Canary Islands, the Region of Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

Germany, with 458,105 inbound tourists, represented 14.5% of the monthly total and posted an increase of 3.3%. These tourists mainly headed for the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. There was a notable increase among this group in terms of hotel accommodation with fewer German tourists opting for other types of accommodation.

With 351,522 inbound tourists, the Nordic markets fell by 6.5% in January and represented 11.1% of the total. This fall was mostly caused by a decline in tourists opting for package holidays, particularly in the Canary Islands and Catalonia.

In January, 214,830 inbound Italian tourists visited Spain, representing the highest increase among European emitting markets, up 20.4%, which continued their strong upward trend and accounted for 6.8% of the total. All destinations benefited from this rise, particularly Catalonia.

The United States was responsible for the highest rise of all emitting markets with an increase of 25.1%, representing 63,757 tourists, or 2% of the total.

Main destination autonomous region

In January, the Canary Islands was the most popular destination by autonomous region with 1,035,430 inbound tourists, representing 32.7% of the total, posting a 3.3% year- on-year rise. All main emitting markets recorded increases with the exception of the Nordic countries.

Catalonia was visited by 746,948 inbound tourists, representing 23.6% of the total in January, a rise of 1.5%. Emitting markets of particular note were the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States and Asian countries.

With 371,524 inbound tourists, Andalusia, posting an increase of 11.6%, was the second- highest visited autonomous region in January, with 11.7% of the total. Inbound tourists mainly came from the United Kingdom, the Nordic and Asian countries.

The Region of Madrid remained stable, only experiencing a slight fall of 0.1% compared with January 2014, with 347,760 inbound tourists, representing 11% of the total. Visitors from Asia and Italy showed the most noteworthy increases.

With 8.1% of the total, the Region of Valencia recorded 255,603 inbound tourists, an increase of 1.5%. The emitting markets with the highest increases were Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and France.

The Balearic Islands saw a 20.9% rise, representing the highest year-on year increase for the month, with 106,160 inbound tourists, accounting for 3.3% of the total for January. There was a 31.2 % increase in German visitors to these islands, and noteworthy increases from Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Form of travel, accommodation and type of holiday

In January, 2,597,144 inbound tourists arrived by air, representing an increase of 3.5%. This form of travel continues to be by far the most popular and represents 89.1% of the total. With an increase of 3.7%, 518,044 inbound tourists entered Spain by road.

Hotel accommodation was chosen by 1,965,599 tourists, an increase of 4.9% to represent 62% of the monthly total. Non-hotel accommodation was chosen by 1,204,232 visitors, an increase of 1.5%.

Independent travel was the preferred choice for 2,297,753 tourists, representing an increase of 5% and 72.5% of the total. A package holiday was the chosen option for 872,079 visitors, which accounted for 27.5% of the total.

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