3 July 2024

Tourist Movements at Borders (FRONTUR)

May 2024. Provisional data

Main results

Spain received 9.3 million international tourists in May, 11.5% more than in the same month in 2023.
In the first five months of 2024, the number of tourists increased by 13.6%.

More information

Annex of tables (includes information from the Autonomous Communities)
Advanced query system
Infographic: Tourism Indicators

In May, Spain received 9.3 million international tourists, 11.5% more than in the same month in 2023.

In the first five months of 2024 the number of tourists visiting Spain increased by 13.6% and exceeded 33.2 million.

International tourists arrivals by months

Annual variation. Percentage

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            "26.2",
            "15.3",
            "15.9",
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            "8.3",
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The United Kingdom was the main country of residence, with more than 1.9 million tourists, an increase of 5.7% compared to May 2023. There were 1.3 million arrivals from France (11.7% more) and 1.2 million from Germany (9.3% more).

International tourists arrivals(*) by country of residence. May 2024

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        "9,256,446",
        "11.5",
        "33,212,538",
        "13.6",
        "1,229,437",
        "9.3",
        "4,418,003",
        "14.7",
        "258,392",
        "8.1",
        "1,078,943",
        "20.3",
        "1,284,633",
        "11.7",
        "4,425,959",
        "13.2",
        "290,378",
        "20.7",
        "978,261",
        "18.8",
        "471,053",
        "11.6",
        "1,893,097",
        "15.1",
        "505,036",
        "15.6",
        "1,627,302",
        "13.1",
        "193,660",
        "9.2",
        "897,846",
        "-1.3",
        "1,913,873",
        "5.7",
        "6,352,645",
        "10.6",
        "210,803",
        "13.2",
        "750,804",
        "9.5",
        "387,165",
        "14.6",
        "1,997,352",
        "9.3",
        "858,416",
        "17.6",
        "3,463,516",
        "17.9",
        "499,516",
        "14.6",
        "1,477,889",
        "14.8",
        "535,897",
        "6.4",
        "1,858,756",
        "9.1",
        "618,186",
        "22.0",
        "1,992,164",
        "26.8"
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(*) Does not include transit travellers or same-day visitors (excursionists).
(**) Includes the estimate for Russia.

The main countries of origin during the first five months were the United Kingdom (with almost 6.4 million tourists and an increase of 10.6%), France (almost 4.4 million and an increase of 13.2%) and Germany (with more than 4.4 million, 14.7% more).

Main type of accommodation and other characteristics of the trips

The number of tourists choosing market accommodation as the main type of accommodation increased by 13.0% in the annual rate. Within this type, hotel accommodation grew by 13.0% and rented dwellings by 11.1%. Non-market accommodation increased by 2.0%.

International tourists arrivals by main type of accommodation. May 2024

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        "11.5",
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        "13.6",
        "8,084,637",
        "13.0",
        "26,983,342",
        "14.5",
        "6,837,362",
        "13.0",
        "21,623,309",
        "11.9",
        "896,901",
        "11.1",
        "4,043,266",
        "30.3",
        "350,374",
        "18.7",
        "1,316,768",
        "15.8",
        "1,171,809",
        "2.0",
        "6,229,195",
        "9.9",
        "353,166",
        "-7.5",
        "1,798,938",
        "-1.1",
        "714,304",
        "4.0",
        "3,948,170",
        "13.0",
        "104,338",
        "30.8",
        "482,087",
        "35.4"
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A stay of four to seven nights was the main length among tourists, with more than 4.7 million tourists and an annual increase of 12.0%. The number of visitors increased by 11.9% among those without overnight stays (excursionists) and increased by 14.8% among tourists with longer duration (more than 15 nights).

Nearly 7.0 million tourists travelled without a tourist package in May, an increase of 12.1%. Over 2.3 million travelled with a package tour, 9.7% more.

Autonomous communities of main destination

Cataluña was the top tourist destination in May, with 22.0% of the total. It was followed by Illes Balears (21.6%) and Andalucía (14.6%).

5.9% more tourists visited Cataluña than in May 2023. The number of tourists who visited Illes Balears increased by 11.1% and those who visited Andalucía rose by 11.4%.

International tourists arrivals by main Autonomous Community of destination. Monthly and cumulative data. May 2024

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        "13.6",
        "1,348,546",
        "11.4",
        "4,905,219",
        "12.9",
        "1,997,977",
        "11.1",
        "3,976,445",
        "8.9",
        "1,037,701",
        "7.1",
        "6,493,340",
        "10.7",
        "2,038,608",
        "5.9",
        "7,062,979",
        "13.1",
        "1,152,053",
        "15.1",
        "4,189,742",
        "20.0",
        "878,117",
        "24.3",
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        "22.2",
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        "16.2",
        "2,991,332",
        "11.1"
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In the cumulative figure for the first five months of 2024, the Autonomous Communities that received the most tourists were Cataluña (7.1 million: an increase of 13.1% as compared with the same period in 2023), Canarias (6.5 million: an increase of 10.7%) and Andalucía (4.9 million: 12.9% more).

Revisions and data updates

The data published today are provisional and will be revised in March next year. All results of this operation are available on INEbase.

Methodological note

The main objective of the Tourist Movement on Borders Survey (FRONTUR) is to estimate the number of non-residents visiting Spain on a monthly basis, as well as to know the main characteristics of the trips made by these visitors. The international definitions and recommendations of the UNWTO and EUROSTAT in this field are followed when preparing the FRONTUR.

Type of operation:: continuous monthly statistics.
Population scope:: this refers to non-residents in Spain who enter our country, whether or not they have stayed overnight, as well as those who pass through our country in transit.
Geographical scope:: the entire national territory. The sample is collected at the main access points for non-resident travellers, by road, airport, port and rail.
Reference period of the results:: the month.
Sample size:: the annual theoretical sample size of FRONTUR exceeds 450,000 surveys, which are distributed throughout the year, taking into account the seasonality of passenger flows.
Sampling type:: strata have been defined for each form of entry that group together border points, airports, ports and railway lines. In determining the road and airport sample, the day of the week in which the survey has been carried out is also identified, differentiating between working days, weekends and holidays. In airports, 21 air relations are defined (Spanish airport of origin-country of destination airport).
Collection method:: information is collected by direct interview when the traveller leaves Spain, using a multilingual electronic questionnaire.

For more information, you can access the methodology and the standardised methodological report.

INE statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Good Practice for European Statistics. More information on Quality at INE and the Code of Best Practices.

For further information see

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