A tourism model under siege in Spain

This report presents a high-level summary of the Spanish travel market, focusing on the need-to-know developments, trends and stories that are shaping the market now. For more detailed information, data and analysis on Spain's travel market, check out the following related publications:

• Spain Online Travel Overview 2019
• Spain Online Travel 2019: By the Numbers

The Spanish travel industry has celebrated several years of strong inbound visitation and a healthy domestic market — but signs indicate that the party may soon be coming to an end. In 2018, 82.8 million international travelers arrived in Spain, an increase of 1% year over year, and foreign tourists increased their travel spend 3.3%. While tourism forecasts for 2019 remained positive in the first half of the year, second-half performance is expected to decline due to the Thomas Cook collapse, the Brexit delay and violent protests in Catalonia.

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Even as these unfolding events impact visitation, Spain faces longer-term tourism challenges. Tourism is crucial to the Spanish economy, accounting for 13% of the country's GDP. Yet the industry's heavy reliance on the beach holiday category — roughly two thirds of hotels are focused on the segment — makes it vulnerable to a perfect storm of challenges that already can be seen on the horizon. These include an uncertain Brexit, increased competition and a looming financial crisis.

Phocuswright analysts have determined 4 key developments in the Spanish online travel market:

• Last train to deregulation
• Strong OTAs, Thomas Cook collapse threaten hotel segment
• Airlines: High hopes for NDC
• Car rental: Time for an upgrade

The full publication presents a high-level summary of the Spanish travel market, focusing on the need-to-know developments, trends and stories that are impacting the market now. To read the in depth analysis of each key development, purchase the full report here.

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