SchengenVisaInfo reports that the average duration of cultural trips by international tourists has increased from 5.8 to 6.1 days since 2019
Cultural tourism in Spain surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2022, according to latest data by the Resident Tourism Survey and the Tourist Expenditure Survey by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
According to a report by SchengenVisaInfo, the comeback has been noted in travel and expenditure by both Spanish residents and international tourists. Spanish residents took 18.6 pc of their travels for cultural activities. In comparison, 19.3 pc of international tourists came to Spain for cultural experiences, indicating that cultural interests played a role in nearly one-fifth of all trips.
SchengenVisaInfo says that Madrid, Catalunya, Andalusia and the Valencian Community were the top-ranking Autonomous Communities for generating cultural travellers. Notably, 43 pc of Madrid residents, 41.2 pc of Cantabrians, 40.5 pc of Basques and 39.9 pc of Riojans exceeded the national average of 34.6 pc regarding the percentage of their population taking trips for cultural reasons.
“Residents in Spain made 16.4 million cultural trips in 2022, spending over EUR 8.8 billion. Additionally, we received 11.9 million trips from foreigners attracted by cultural motives, resulting in a spending of EUR 15 billion, coming very close to the figures for 2019,” says La Moncloa, Official Website of the President of the Government of Spain and the Council of Ministers.
According to the statement, the average duration of cultural trips by international tourists has increased from 5.8 to 6.1 days since 2019, compared to residents in Spain, who have an average period of 4.1 days, only three-tenths less than in 2019.
It adds that top cultural tourism destinations among residents in Spain this year were Andalusia with 2.7 million trips, followed by Madrid accounting for 1.2 million, Castilla y León accounting for 1.1 million and Catalunya with 1 million. These regions also led in revenue, with Andalusia generating EUR 930.6 million, Madrid EUR 477.7 million, Castilla y León EUR 363 million and Catalunya EUR 338.5 million.
The statement adds that regarding accommodation, cultural tourists in Spain had various choices. About 10.4 million stayed in hotels, spending EUR 6,242.4 million, with an average of €600.23 per trip. Another 2.6 million chose rented homes, spending EUR 1,335.4 million, with an average of EUR 513.61 per trip.
The report adds that 1.3 million stayed with family or friends, spending EUR 327.8 million, for an average of EUR 252.25 per trip and 198,000 used their own homes, spending EUR 39 million for an average of EUR 196.96 per trip.
