This is the fourth consecutive month in which tourism expense increases over the previous year. In the first eight months of the year, total tourist expense exceeds 33.906 million, up 1.9% compared to 2009.

Total international tourists expense in August 2010 reached 6,800 million Euro, according to the Tourism Expenditure Survey (EGATUR) compiled by the Institute of Tourism Studies, Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade. This represents an increase of 6.2% compared to August 2009, the fourth consecutive month that there was an increase in total expenditure.

The average per capita expenditure increased 2.2%, reaching 975 Euro this month, while the daily expenditure amounted to 98 Euro, a rise of 8.1%.

In the first eight months of the year, tourist expense amounted to 33,906 million Euro, which represents a positive variation of 1.9%. The average per capita expenditure during this period rose 1.6%, reaching 919 Euro, while the daily expense went up a 4.4% (96 Euro).

Source markets

This month the total expenditure made by British, Italian and French tourists improved over previous months. In the British case, there was an annual rise of 2.3%, while in the case of the Italian and the French, the increases were 2.3% and 5.5% respectively.

Besides, Germany fell this month by a 1%. In contrast, the Nordic countries showed an increase of a 12.3%, very similar to that recorded in July, with increases in all communities of well established tourism tradition.

Main destination Autonomous Communities

Balearic Islands remained as the Autonomous Community having a higher income related to tourism expenditure in August, with 1,774 million Euro, representing an increase of 5.3%, after recovering in July from a downward trend initiated in April 2009.

Catalonia, with a tourism income of 1,465 million Euro, recorded an increase of a 10.5% over August 2009. Andalusia also received a greater volume, with a 2.2% growth.

Communities increasing their tourism incomes in August include both the Canary Islands and Valencia, rising 10.8% and 14.5% respectively. In Madrid, foreign tourists spent 3.2% more in August.

Accommodation categories and organization

Hotel tourism expense increased 6.5% over the same month of 2009, whilst expense in other types of tourism accommodation also increased, in this case by 5.9%. On the other hand, the expense in tourism packages dropped a 2.1%, while expense related to other forms of travel grew a 9.9%.

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