In 2017, Catalonia welcomed 19 million foreign visitors, a 5% increase when compared to 2016, which equated to an expenditure figure of €19.1 million (increase of 9.6%). Catalonia has been the top destination for foreign tourists in Spain, receiving over 23.2% of the total number of visitors to the country, followed by the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
The United Kingdom continues to be the second largest source market for tourism in Catalonia, with 2.16 million British tourists visiting Catalonia in 2017 (4.9% growth when compared to 2016) and a total spending of €1.66 million (1.3% increase). These figures represent 2017 as the strongest year of the last decade, both in terms of British tourist arrivals and spending.
Therefore, the objective of reaching more than 2 million British tourists to visit Catalonia in 2017 has been achieved. The tourism sector in Catalonia proved to be robust and to continue to grow despite 2017’s uncertainty, and Catalonia continues to be one of the favourite destinations for the British market.
The Catalan Tourist Board has declared 2018 as the Year of Cultural Tourism. Throughout the year, visitors will be able to explore the region’s wealth of cultural attractions, spectacular landscapes and unique gastronomy scene. Boasting nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, Catalonia is world-renowned for its cultural festivals and traditions embedded in its history and age-old tradition. Its rich history has left a legacy ranging from thousand-year-old cave paintings and Greek and Roman artifacts, to Medieval and Romanesque monasteries and iconic pieces of modernist architecture.
