In 2015, Catalonia has taken 17.4 million foreign tourists, which is 3.7% more than in 2014. Together they brought the region of 15.625 billion euros (3.4% compared with the previous year). This is reported by the Spanish news agency referring to the Council on Entrepreneurship. His head Jordi Bayzhet presented the first results of the last year within the framework of the congress tourism Fitur, held in Madrid.

Bayzhet noted that Catalonia can be reduced depending on the degree of tourist flows from the seasonality factor: it is now the direction of value not only for a beach holiday, but also for the local cuisine, business prospects, opportunities for sports and recreation, etc. 53% of foreign tourists visiting the region in the low season.

Among the markets are far ahead of France, where in Spain in the last year arrived almost 5 million tourists (+ 8.2% compared to the year 2014). It is followed by the UK (nearly 2 million + 6.5%). Ranked third with Germany (1.3 million, -8.6%). It is followed by Italy (1.29 million, -3%).

Significantly increased the number of visitors from the United States - by 25.9% (to 644 400). At the same time, the share of the Russian market declined by 31% and amounted to 574.8 thousand people. However, representatives of the Council predict change the negative trends in this segment this year.

As for the size of the cost, the most they have increased in British (10.4%), the US (+ 12.6%) and Scandinavia (+ 8.3%) tourists.

Over the last 5 years the number of visitors from abroad in Catalonia increased by 32%, and the amount of their expenses - by 49%. Last year they spent in hotels, campsites, apartments and rural cottages in the region of about 75.4 million nights, which is 4.6% higher than a year earlier.