Andalusia faces highest tourism discontent in Spain

A new report by consultancy Llorente y Cuenca (LLYC) reveals a decline in the perception of tourism in Spain, with Andalusia identified as the region experiencing the highest level of public discontent. According to the second quarter 2026 Tourism Perception Barometer, Andalusia has overtaken Catalonia as the autonomous community with the worst reputation for the sector.

Key drivers of negative sentiment include massification, gentrification in city centers, rising housing prices, and impacts on public services and local identity. Concerns regarding security and infrastructure—specifically the AVE high-speed rail following the Adamuz tragedy—have also contributed to the decline. In Andalusia, 59% of digital conversations analyzed were negative.

Nationally, Spain's tourism reputation saw a slight improvement to 5.4 out of 10 compared to the previous year, but significant discontent persists in major destinations. While Extremadura, Aragon, and Asturias remain the best-rated regions, Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community failed to reach a passing score. This trend follows a record-breaking 2025, which saw 97 million international visitors and historic spending, despite a downward trend in social perception.