International visitors grew by 28.58% in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to data from the records of access to the Cau Ferrat and Maricel museums, the Stämpfli Foundation and the Palau de Maricel. This is a significant leap in the internationalization of museums, in a year in which there was also a substantial increase in visitors from the rest of the State, in addition to new proposals for the local public.
In total, 67,211 people visited the three museums and the Palace last year. Of these, 55,340 were in conventional visits and, therefore, it is possible to know their origin. The remaining 11,871 to reach a total of 67,211 correspond to open days and other sessions in which the provenance is not recorded (the Ou com balla, presentations...).
The 28.58% increase in international visitors responds to the Sitges Museums' commitment to strengthen its internationalization, with the aim of making its facilities an essential visit for the visitors the town receives, both in terms of tourism holidays like company and conventions. By origin, the increase is particularly significant in foreign visitors, who went from 19,899 in 2022 to 23,588 last year. Among these, the main bulk are people from the rest of Europe, in line with the tourist data for Sitges as a whole.
Along these lines, Museus de Sitges has expanded its proposals and cultural offerings for a multifaceted and heterogeneous audience of international origin. The exhibitions held last year (Rusiñol seen by Picassoand the Bertran Collection, during the summer months) made it possible to attract European and international visitors interested in a local heritage with universal projection. At the same time, the Sitgestiu program (concerts, workshops, routes...) also focused its proposals on foreign audiences, in addition to the local and regional ones.
Precisely, the local and local visitor constitutes the other pole of the Sitges Museums' cultural bet. During 2023, the agenda of activities incorporated new proposals (guided tours, presentations...), which were added to the usual ones, such as Peça del mes, Reading Club or workshops, among others.
2023 also recorded a significant increase in visitors from the rest of the State: 5,150 compared to 4,416 the previous year.