Catalonia closed 2022 with 14.9 million international tourists. This figure represents an 80% recovery compared to pre-pandemic data, as 19.37 million foreign visitors were recorded in 2019. Growth compared to 2021 (5.7 million), a transition year, was 159%.
With these data, Catalonia becomes the leading autonomous community in foreign tourism, absorbing 20.9% of the state's total. It is followed by the Balearic Islands (13.19 million), the Canary Islands (12.3 million), and Andalusia (10 million). In total, Spain received 71.74 million foreign tourists.
France is the main foreign market for Catalonia, with the arrival of 3.4 million French visitors, followed by the United Kingdom (1.45 million). The United States is the leading non-European market, with 1.17 million arrivals. Another positive data point is that the average expenditure per foreign person in Catalonia in 2022 was 1,112 euros, a figure slightly above 2019 (1,100 euros), the reference year in which record figures were registered. The increase in expenditure is accompanied by a reduction in the average length of stay, which favors the profitability and sustainability of the sector, highlights the Generalitat.
This translates into the accumulated expenditure of international tourism reaching 16,659 million euros. It is still 21.9% below that of 2019, but represents a 198% increase compared to 2021. In total expenditure, the Canary Islands are above Catalonia, with 17,263 million.
Regarding national tourism, Catalan tourism in Catalonia (9.8 million visitors) increased by almost 21% compared to 2021, and that from the rest of the state (6.49 million) by 42%. In both cases, the 2019 figures have already been surpassed.
In 2022, Catalonia's airports received 19.4 million passengers. 94.7% arrived at Barcelona Airport. Despite representing more than double the passengers of 2021, the figure is still much lower than the 27 million passengers received in the last year before COVID.
The total number of overnight stays in Catalonia in 2022 amounted to 87.5 million, 67.6% more than in 2021, but still 5% less than in 2019. Overnight stays in hotels represent 63% of the total, being 9.9% lower than those registered in 2019. The Costa Brava brand stands out, where 28% of overnight stays occur. Behind it, the Barcelona brand with 24% and Costa Daurada with 21%.
The average commercial price of a room in a hotel establishment in 2022 was an average of 105.3 euros. The Barcelona brand exceeds this average price every month, with the exception of January, with an average price of 78.6 euros. The occupancy rate of available beds in Catalonia stood at 46.9% in 2022, 17 points above 2021, but slightly lower than in 2019, when it was 49%.
The General Directorate of Tourism of the Generalitat announced this provisional tourism balance this Wednesday in Madrid within the framework of the Fitur fair, which was visited by the Minister of Business, Roger Torrent. In a press conference, he celebrated that last year was the "beginning of the recovery of international tourism" after COVID-19 and despite the war in Ukraine. The minister believes that 2023 will be a "very good year," and assures that it has started "positively," and that it will consolidate this recovery, reports ACN.
According to Torrent, an extraordinary program for tourism sustainability plans of 50 million euros is planned for 2023, which will have "preference for sun and beach tourist destinations." The Minister of Business added another 26 million for the new line of aid for the energy improvement of tourist accommodations.
Fitur 2023 has managed to match the pre-pandemic occupancy area figures. 131 countries participate, 755 main exhibitors ---32% more than last year--- and 66,900 square meters. The estimated attendance is 120,000 professionals and between 80,000 and 90,000 general public visitors on the weekend.
Catalonia's stand occupies 700 square meters and promotes the diversity of experiences of the Catalan tourist offer. Two of the main proposals are the Grand Tour of Catalonia, an itinerary of more than 2,000 kilometers to explore the territory, as well as the America's Cup of Sailing, which will take place in 2024 in Barcelona. Marc Márquez's motorcycle can also be seen in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya space.