Alicante faces tourism economic losses and rising homelessness

In Alicante, the hospitality and retail sectors report losses of up to 30% during the 2026 summer season, despite record-breaking tourism numbers. While hotel and apartment occupancy reached 95% in August, businesses cite a decline in visitor purchasing power and an urban layout ill-equipped for extreme heatwaves as primary causes for the financial discrepancy.

Tourism officials note a rise in visitors from Eastern Europe, as well as emerging interest from North American markets. The local government is currently developing a long-term strategic tourism plan to address these challenges.

Simultaneously, Alicante is facing a significant increase in homelessness. Data indicates that the number of people living on the streets has tripled over the last decade, rising from 136 in 2016 to 415 in 2026. Municipal services have seen a sharp rise in demand, attending to 3,558 homeless individuals in 2025 compared to 1,520 in 2023.