Tourism has stopped pulling the car of the Spanish economy. Already in 2018 it grew below GDP and this 2019 will advance 1.5%, less than the national economy (2%), according to the balance sheet presented today by Exceltur. Since 2010 the sector grew above GDP and that of 2019 is the worst data since 2013, when it advanced 0.9%.

Several factors have influenced this less growth: fewer British and German tourists have arrived, which are our main emitting markets , especially to the islands and in the areas of the coast of sun and beach.

The arrival of Germans (the country has been on the verge of recession) fell 6.5% in overnight stays and 2.2% in spending, while the British reduced their stays by 5.2% and spending 0, 5%. The Nordic countries have also come much less (8.3%), with a fall in spending of 4.2%.

The bankruptcy of British tour operator Thomas Cook last September has had a negative impact on destinations such as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. This is the group that brought more British tourists to our country, especially the archipelagos.

Spanish five stars

Faced with this, it is the Spaniards who this year have contributed to the growth of the sector: overnight stays by nationals in hotels increased by 2.6%, in rural tourism by 3.3%, domestic flights grew by 6.6% and AVE passengers, 4.7%.

It is striking that the overnight stays of Spaniards in five-star hotels are the fastest growing , 4.9%, compared to the increase of just 1% in hotels with one to three stars.

The last quarter has been weaker, both for the trips of the Spaniards, and for foreigners who come to Spain. This is, in the first case, due to political and economic uncertainty, which has caused them to contain the pocket.

The bankruptcy of tour operator Thomas Cook has had a lower impact than expected, although it has affected the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. The Climate Summit that took place in Madrid a few weeks ago has helped to overcome the quarter.

Less tourists, more spending

A positive reading is taken from Exceltur's balance sheet: the economic impact of foreign tourism in Spain is growing due to the higher income they leave in Spain and "not so much due to an influx record".

According to Exceltur, tourism activity in Spain in 2019 is quantified at 153,000 million euros, a record . The average daily expenditure of foreigners increases by 6%, with an average of 110 euros. Overnight stays fall, that is, they spend less time in our country but spend more.

This is due to "the investment effort in opening, renovation and repositioning of private establishments and improvement of urban spaces." Also due to the greater arrival of tourists from other destinations (USA, Asia ...). This effort includes greater hiring, with employment growth of 3.5%.

The sun and beach model falls

In 2019 the sun and beach destinations have fallen but the alternatives grow. German tourists arrive and those from Nordic countries have fallen in general, but they grow in inland destinations and in those of the so-called "green Spain".

The sector, and also from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, has long been trying to promote a change of model, which not only focuses on coastal destinations. It is intended to promote rural or cultural destinations, and promote other values ​​such as gastronomy, leisure, with the aim of demasifying saturated areas and diverting these travelers to other less crowded places.

Exceltur data therefore confirms that this change is taking place. In fact, in 2019 urban and interior destinations, with Madrid at the helm, achieved the best results.

In 2019, countries such as Italy, Portugal and Ireland also increased their spending, while long-distance travelers (Japan, Mexico, China or the US, among the main ones) have concentrated on urban destinations.

2020 forecasts

The Exceltur tourist lobby has detailed its forecasts for this year. They believe that the sector will grow at the same rate as in 2019, which would cause, for the third consecutive year, progress at a slower pace than the economy.

The arrival of British and Germans to our coastal destinations will continue to fall , but, on the contrary, the interest of Spaniards in traveling to national destinations will be reinforced and other international markets will also grow.

The businessmen of the sector consulted by Exceltur expect a 3.9% increase in sales this 2020, with a 3% price improvement. According to Exceltur, "those who have carried out investments in repositioning and valuing their brands in recent years will emerge ."

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  • GDP
  • Macroeconomy
  • Spain
  • Balearics
  • Thomas Cook
  • Canary Islands
  • Madrid
  • Mexico
  • Ireland
  • Portugal
  • Italy
  • China
  • Asia
  • tourism
  • economy

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