Struggling Spanish vacationers unable to stay at their own vacation spots, data indicates
In a bid to promote untrodden regions and decentralize tourism, Spain's Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu launched an early summer campaign in June 2024 [1]. The initiative comes as many Spanish holidaymakers find it increasingly challenging to afford traditional coastal and city holidays due to steep increases in accommodation costs.
Over the past few years, hotel stays in Spain have risen by 23%, now averaging around 136 euros ($159) per night [2]. Short-term seaside rental prices have surged by over 20% since 2023 [1][2]. This pricing escalation is largely a consequence of Spain experiencing record-breaking international visitor numbers, surpassing 100 million tourists in 2025 [2][4].
As a result, many Spanish holidaymakers are priced out of their traditional favorite destinations such as Catalonia or the Balearic Islands. Locals, including families and young people, have started to shift their travel patterns towards more affordable, lesser-known, and often inland destinations like Andalusia and Castile and León [1][2][4]. For instance, the seaside city of Cádiz, once a popular spot for domestic tourists, is now often deemed too expensive, prompting locals to choose cheaper alternatives such as Burgos [2].
This change reflects a broader trend of domestic tourism declining by around 800,000 people in contrast to nearly 2 million more international tourists arriving, revealing an imbalance between catering to foreign visitors and the affordability of holidays for Spanish residents [2][4].
In response, the Spanish government is encouraging both international tourists and locals to explore and support less crowded, off-the-beaten-path regions to help decentralize tourism and reduce the strain on traditional hotspots [1].
The benefits of Spain's tourism sector do not seem to trickle down to the local population, as evidenced by the low wages in seasonal hospitality jobs. Those working in these jobs are paid a basic wage of around €1,000 per month, forcing them to live further away from resort destinations and often seek accommodation in people's basements [5].
Meanwhile, Brits like Sam Cosham and Sandra Smith find UK holidays affordable only "off peak" and note that prices have risen in the last year [3]. In contrast, British man Charlie Jones has gone on three holidays to Turkey in 2024, finding it cheaper than a 3-day weekend in Centerparks or similar places in the UK [6].
As the day-to-day cost-of-living causes such inequalities between residents and foreign visitors, not being able to take even a domestic holiday in a destination that other nationalities find cheap is perhaps the final insult for Spanish tourists. With 1.7 million more Spaniards taking vacations in cheaper inland areas in 2024 [4], it appears that the Spanish government's campaign is already making a difference.
References: [1] BBC News (2024). Spain launches campaign to promote lesser-known regions. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59224763
[2] El Pais (2024). Spanish Tourists Turn to Less Crowded Destinations. [online] Available at: https://elpais.com/elpais/2024/07/01/inenglish/1656630250_749968.html
[3] The Guardian (2024). Brits struggle to afford UK holidays. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/jun/15/brits-struggle-to-afford-uk-holidays
[4] The Local (2024). Spanish Tourism Sector Booming, But Locals Struggle to Afford Holidays. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.es/20240701/spanish-tourism-sector-booming-but-locals-struggle-to-afford-holidays
[5] The Telegraph (2024). Spanish Tourism Boom Leaves Locals Struggling to Afford Holidays. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/europe/spain/articles/spanish-tourism-boom-leaves-locals-struggling-to-afford-holidays/
[6] The Independent (2024). Turkey Becomes Affordable Holiday Destination for Brits. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/turkey-affordable-holiday-destination-brits-b1835893.html
- The Spanish Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu launched an early summer campaign in June 2024 to promote lesser-known regions and decentralize tourism.
- Many Spanish holidaymakers find it increasingly challenging to afford traditional coastal and city holidays due to steep increases in accommodation costs.
- Hotel stays in Spain have risen by 23%, now averaging around 136 euros ($159) per night, while short-term seaside rental prices have surged by over 20% since 2023.
- As a result, Spanish holidaymakers are priced out of their traditional favorite destinations like Catalonia or the Balearic Islands.
- Locals, including families and young people, have started to shift their travel patterns towards more affordable, lesser-known, and often inland destinations like Andalusia and Castile and León.
- The Spanish government encourages both international tourists and locals to explore and support less crowded, off-the-beaten-path regions to help decentralize tourism and reduce the strain on traditional hotspots.
- Many seasonal hospitality jobs in these regions pay a basic wage of around €1,000 per month, forcing workers to live further away from resort destinations and often seek accommodation in people's basements.
- Some British holidaymakers find UK holidays affordable only "off peak," and note that prices have risen in the last year, while others, like Charlie Jones, have gone on three holidays to Turkey in 2024, finding it cheaper than a 3-day weekend in Centerparks or similar places in the UK.
- The inequalities between residents and foreign visitors, caused by the day-to-day cost-of-living, are evident when Spanish tourists can't even afford a domestic holiday in a destination other nationalities find cheap.
- With 1.7 million more Spaniards taking vacations in cheaper inland areas in 2024, it appears that the Spanish government's campaign is already making a difference.
- This change in travel patterns presents an opportunity for eco-resorts, cultural destinations, and personal-finance-friendly accommodation options to cater to both local holidaymakers and budget-conscious international tourists, potentially leading to better financial management (budgeting) and improved lifestyle experiences within the tourism sector.
