January foreign visitor numbers up on 2011

 

Figures released yesterday by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism confirmed how 2012 is off to a good start as far as the number of foreigners visiting Spain is concerned.

January saw a total of 2.8 Million people visiting Spain - an increase of 122'000 visitors, or 4.6% more than the number seen in the same month of 2011.

Visitor numbers for 2011 as whole reached 56.9 Million - an 8.1% increase on 2010 when 52.5 Million foreign visitors came to Spain.

Last year was the 4th most successful year in terms of numbers of tourists, behind 2007 (with 59.2 million visitors), 2006 (58.4 million) and 2008 (57.4 million). However, 2011 was the record year for the total amount of money being spent by foreign visitors - reaching a total of 52.8 billion euros - an increase of 7.9% on 2010.

The UK, which accounted for 19.1% of all the foreign tourists that came to Spain in January, continues to be the most important source market, with an increase of 5.7% (28,628 more people) on last year.

France, the Netherlands and Russia also saw an increase in visitor numbers, whilst Germany - who provided the second largest number of visitors - saw fewer visitors last month than in January 2011.