This past July, Catalonia was the second most preferred autonomous community by foreign tourists, only surpassed by the Balearic Islands. A total of 2,697,163 travelers stayed in Catalan hotels, marking a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. This growth contrasts with the more modest 1.3% rise recorded across Spain, where hotels received 13,208,858 tourists.
The primary source markets at the national level were the United Kingdom, followed by Germany and France. Outside of Europe, the United States was the main origin of visitors.
Despite the record number of visitors, total overnight stays in Catalan hotels amounted to 8,154,662 nights, a 0.8% decrease from the previous year. The average length of stay is around three nights. The longest stays were recorded in the province of Tarragona, followed by Girona, Barcelona, and Lleida, with just over two nights on average.
The reduction in overnight stays is particularly significant among domestic tourists, who spent 2.1% fewer nights in hotels. In contrast, Barcelona saw a 4.6% increase in the number of travelers, reaching 878,767 visitors, although the number of domestic tourists in the city fell by around 8%. This phenomenon is attributed to domestic tourists' preference for beach destinations, while Barcelona maintains its international appeal, coinciding with the start of the Tour de France.
Catalonia solidifies its position as one of the main tourist destinations in Spain, ranking second among both Spanish residents (behind Andalusia) and foreign visitors (with the Balearic Islands leading). From January to July, Catalan hotels have received 13.5 million travelers, a 4.3% increase from the previous year, surpassing the 13 million threshold for the first time.
Tourism dynamics varied across coastal areas. The Costa Brava saw an increase in tourists, with a 3.5% rise in the province of Girona. However, the Costa Daurada registered a 2.5% decrease in travelers and a 5.3% drop in overnight stays, with a particularly noticeable decline in Salou. Mountain areas such as Vielha, Vall de Boí, and Naut d'Aran also experienced a decrease.
The record number of tourists coincides with an increase in accommodation prices. Hotel prices in Catalonia have risen by more than 6% compared to July last year, with an average hotel night costing around 150 euros. The province of Girona leads this increase with a rise exceeding 13%.
