Por Redaccion 
Avilés achieves the goal of desterionalizing, according to the 2024 tourism data balance
March 13, 2025
More than 200,000 visitors were surpassed with a notable increase in international travelers
The data provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show a very positive balance for Avilés, achieving two desired objectives: increasing the number of visitors and spreading visits throughout the year, known as desterionalization, avoiding the concentration of tourism in the summer months. «In order for the impact of tourism in the city to be more positive, we are interested in distributing the influx of visitors throughout the year, not concentrating it in the summer,» emphasized the Councilor for Tourism, Raquel Ruiz, during the presentation of the 2024 tourism data balance, highlighting the «growth of visitors in the winter and spring months». (See table on page 3)
More than 200,000 people chose to travel to Avilés in 2024, 25,000 more than the previous year. Every month saw better numbers than in 2023, but the increase in non-summer months stands out. The growth of foreign travelers is also significant. Although Spaniards are still at the top, phenomena like that of November, when the increase in international visitors exceeded that of nationals, are already occurring.
By place of origin, travelers from the communities of Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia, Castile and León, Galicia, and the Basque Country choose Avilés. Among international visitors, tourists from France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy visit the city. Tourism from the United States, which has been growing considerably in the overall Spanish market in recent years, is an objective for both the Principality and the city. They are long-stay tourists, with high purchasing power, and not looking for sun and beach.
The Councilor explained the policy of introducing improvements in the city that also serve as a tourist attraction. The 5 million euros obtained in calls for Tourism Sustainability Plans will be used to «restore the medieval wall» and add «new tourist attractions in the estuary». Ruiz also referred to «investments in the surroundings of the Muelle park and the Plaza Hermanos Orbón» as examples of interventions that «have revitalized the environment, leading to a greater influx of people and new economic activities».
Another policy that explains the achievement of desterionalization is the focus on holding conferences. Avilés has become a reference for holding conferences in cities of its population range. The reasons are the significant spaces the city offers for these events, the appreciated hotel and restaurant offerings, its rich cultural offerings, and Avilés’s status as a major innovation ecosystem. Last year, the city hosted more than 30 conferences and events held in low season months such as autumn and winter. Ruiz explained that she will continue to promote «the Avilés brand as a conference city» due to the success achieved in the last exercise.
The tourism data balance presented by the Councilor included the attention to visitors who requested information at the Avilés tourism office, showing a growth compared to the previous year. Of the total of 29,523 people who requested information, 2,777 came from the region, 679 from other parts of Asturias, 21,147 from other Autonomous Communities, and 4,892 were foreigners, with an additional 28 users of unknown origin. Compared to 2023, there was an increase in international tourism requesting information of +11.33%. There was also a slight increase in regional visitors +5.92%, and national visitors +1.09%. Ruiz also detailed the number of pilgrims who stayed at the hostel, increasing from 5,162 in 2023 to 5,501 in 2024.
FUENTE