Spanish tourists forced to avoid their own beaches as holidaymakers flood seaside towns
Tourism boom barring Spaniards from their own beaches
- Spaniards are increasingly being priced out of their traditional coastal holidays due to an unprecedented tourism boom driving up hotel and rental costs.
- Official data shows a significant decline in local tourism to Spain's top coastal destinations last year, while foreign visitor numbers surged by nearly two million.
- Spain, the world's second-most visited country, expects a record 100 million foreign visitors this year, with tourism contributing over 13 per cent of its GDP.
- Hotel prices have risen by 23 per cent in the past three years, and beachfront rentals have climbed by over 20 per cent since mid-2023, making them largely unaffordable for locals.
- The Spanish government is encouraging international tourists to explore inland areas to alleviate overcrowding, while many Spaniards are now opting for cheaper inland holidays or Airbnb rentals.