2018 a year of slight growth, 2019?
The latest data provided by the Observatori Turístic del Parc Científic i Tecnològic de Turisme i Oci de Catalunya (PCT). This season has registered 21.1 million overnight stays generated by 5.9 million tourists. These figures represent a 3% drop compared to the same period as in 2017. The good news is that the total number of tourists has improved compared to the previous year, specifically, it has risen by 5.1% on the Costa Daurada and 4.4% in Terres de l'Ebre.
Some "historic" data for the volume of visitors generated from January to October and that evidence the good moment of the sector despite the reopening this 2018 of destinations such as Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia and competitive offers in the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. In addition, the representatives warned that the good weather conditions in Europe during the winter, the devaluation of currencies such as the Russian ruble and the difficulties of some international tour operators had slightly affected the sector.
The domestic market was again the main market with more than 9 million overnight stays, although it represents a decrease of 5.3% of nights in hotel establishments compared to 2017.
Regarding the origin of international tourists, the growth of the British, which represents 11.3% of the issuing markets and is behind the French, in first position, with 11.9%. Markets such as Russia, which is in third position with 6.2%, Ireland and Germany have also improved. As for one of the most stable markets of the Costa Daurada, the Dutch, a decrease of only 3 tenths (5.9%) has been detected. Source Diari de Tarragona.