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.

IN FULL

Spanish tourists forced to avoid their own beaches as holidaymakers flood seaside towns