Balearic Islands, favorite destination for 42% of German tourists in 2023
In 2023, Spain welcomed 10,989,659 German tourists, who once again showed their preference for the Balearic Islands, with 42% of the total choosing the islands as their main destination, according to the latest Turespaña report. This remarkable interest translates into 44% of the overnight stays made by German tourists in the whole country.
The Reiseanalyse study by the German research association F.U.R. reveals that, although there was a slight 3% decrease in long-term travel (5 or more days) compared to 2022, the figure of 55 million German travelers is still impressive. These tourists generated record spending of close to €87 billion, consolidating the relevance of the German market for international destinations, especially Spain.
Growing market
Looking ahead to 2024, an increase in travel is anticipated, with an estimate that could reach 70 million trips. Spain, with a 14.4% share of all trips, reinforces its leadership as the preferred destination for Germans, surpassing other European destinations such as Italy (8.2%) and Turkey (8.2%).
Despite the perception of a worsening of the overall economy in Germany, the majority of Germans (71%) believe that their personal situation will remain stable or improve in 2024. This optimism is reflected in the high priority they give to vacations, ranking only behind food spending and above housing and health.
Balearic Islands, a destination that has it all
The Balearic Islands not only led in the number of German tourists, but also in the quality of their stay. With an average spending per person of 1,202 euros and an average stay of 7.8 nights, German tourists demonstrated their preference for enjoying an extended vacation in this Mediterranean paradise. In addition, preferred activities include the beach, city tours and shopping, highlighting the diversity of experiences the islands have to offer.
In the cumulative second quarter of 2024, the German market continues to be crucial, contributing 12.1% of total spending and 13.5% of total tourists in Spain. The increases in the number of tourists (10.9%) and in spending (18.7%) over the previous year underscore the importance of maintaining and strengthening the tourism offer in the Balearics to continue to capture the attention of this valuable market.
