Visitors from Spain

1. Executive summary 2023

In 2023, Spain was Scotland’s fifth largest international source market measured by number of visits. It was eighth by expenditure and eighth by number of nights. Spanish visitors accounted for 5% of all overseas visits to Scotland and 3% of all overseas spend in Scotland in 2023.

2023 saw a continued growth in the number of visits. Visits surpassed 2022 levels by 5% and pre pandemic levels by 56%. Spend in 2023 once again surpassed pre pandemic spending but was slightly lower compared to 2022.

The average spend per visit in 2023 was £539. The average spend per night was £75. The average length of stay was 7.2 nights.

Source: IPS, 2023

3. Official statistics and partners

The International Passenger Survey is a continuous survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics. It covers all major air, sea and tunnel ports. 

The survey provides information on the numbers and types of visits made by people travelling to and from the UK. Anonymous face to face interviews are undertaken with a sample of passengers entering and leaving the UK.

Find out more on the survey methodology on ons.gov.uk.

Read further ONS publications on ons.gov.uk.

Read how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the IPS data collection on visitbritain.org.