- Plan aims to position Catalonia as a top destination in the Mediterranean to achieve a series of objectives for 2022: increase daily spending per tourist, have 37% visit Catalonia outside the high season, increase stays in accommodation away from the coast by 10%, and grow in a smart way to reach 21M international tourists a year
- Seven lines of action: offer an exceptional tourism experience, win over and retain customers, attract investment, take a smart approach to tourism, improve competitive conditions, improve tourism management, and rethink management, organisation and governance
The Catalan government has approved the Strategic Tourism Plan for Catalonia 2018–2022. Developed by the Directorate-General for Tourism of the Ministry of Business and Knowledge, the Plan lays the foundation for managing tourism activity in Catalonia in the coming years.
A key sector for the economy
Tourism is a key sector for the Catalan economy that generates around 11% of GDP. Over 400,000 people (13.8% of the active workforce) are employed in sector, 78,000 companies operate in the tourism industry, and Catalonia offers 918,000 accommodation places. In 2018, Catalonia received 19.1 million foreign tourists, 0.1% more than in 2017, and they spent €20.6 billion, an increase of 7.2% on the year previous year.
The Strategic Tourism Plan for Catalonia 2018–2022 is complemented by the Tourism Marketing Plan for Catalonia 2018–2022, which establishes a framework for promoting and supporting the marketing of Catalonia’s tourism offer in the coming years. These plans build on work initiated under the Strategic Tourism Plan for Catalonia 2013–2016 and the Tourism Marketing Plan for Catalonia 2013–2015.