Costa del Sol tourism rises in volume despite lower tourist spending

Tourism in Costa del Sol has seen a rise in volume through July 2026, with total travelers reaching 4,817,898, a 3.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Overnight stays grew by 6.3%, totaling over 18.3 million. This growth was driven by both the domestic and international markets, with Spanish travelers increasing by 5% and international visitors rising by 3.4%.

Despite the increase in visitor numbers, hospitality business owners are reporting a decline in individual tourist spending. Manuel Villafaina, head of the association of beach business owners in Andalucía, noted that rising costs for groceries, fuel, and energy have reduced consumer purchasing power. He observed that while more tourists are visiting, they are ordering more sparingly, opting for shared portions or smaller quantities to manage costs. This trend has led to a situation where businesses are seeing similar earnings to previous years despite higher operational costs and increased customer volume.