Rising Tourism Costs Push Spaniards Away from Their Own Beaches

• Rising accommodation costs and increased foreign tourism are pricing Spaniards out of their traditional beach holidays. 
• The Spanish government is promoting inland tourism to alleviate coastal overcrowding and diversify tourist destinations.

Corina Pons of Thomson Reuters reports that Spain’s beaches, once a favored destination for locals, are increasingly becoming out of reach for Spaniards due to soaring hotel and rental prices amid a tourism surge. Official data analyzed by inAtlas reveals a significant decline in local tourism by 800,000 people last year, while foreign visitors increased by 1.94 million. This trend is expected to persist as Spain, the world’s second-most visited country after France, anticipates a record 100 million foreign visitors this year.

The rising costs are a significant concern for locals. Wendy Davila, a 26-year-old Spaniard, expressed her frustration over the “outrageous” prices, which forced her to cancel a planned trip to Cadiz in favor of a more affordable visit to Burgos, an inland city. This sentiment is echoed by many Spaniards who now find themselves vacationing wherever they can afford rather than where they desire.

Tourism is a crucial sector for Spain, contributing over 13% to its GDP. However, the influx of tourists has led to housing shortages and increased living costs, causing discontent among locals. Hotel prices have surged by 23% over the past three years, averaging 136 euros ($159) a night, according to Mabrian. Beachfront rentals have also seen a 20.3% increase since mid-2023, with most bookings completed by the first quarter. Tecnitasa Group President Jose Maria Basanez noted the growing difficulty for Spanish holidaymakers to afford beachfront rentals.

Foreign tourists typically stay longer and spend more at Spanish beaches compared to locals, who can only afford half the duration and a quarter of the expenditure. This disparity is causing a shift in holiday patterns, with Spaniards making 400,000 fewer trips to major cities in 2024 compared to the previous year, while foreign tourist visits increased by nearly 3 million.

In response to these challenges, Spain’s socialist government is encouraging international tourists to explore inland attractions to reduce coastal overcrowding and diversify tourist destinations. Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu emphasized the need to decentralize destinations to maintain Spain’s leadership in international tourism.

As a result, Spaniards are increasingly opting for more affordable inland destinations, turning to Airbnb rentals instead of hotels. Last year, 1.7 million more Spaniards vacationed in inland areas, with the mountain town of El Bosque seeing a 22% increase in local tourists. This shift is partly due to Spaniards’ lower purchasing power compared to British and German tourists.

For some, avoiding the summer crowds altogether is the best option. Nurse Maria de la Jara plans to stay in Madrid for the summer, visiting family in Cadiz only after the busy season. The influx of foreign tourists, particularly from cruise ships, has made traditional holiday spots overwhelming for locals.

Discover more at Reuters.