Spain predicts record summer hotel occupancy as tourism numbers hit new highs

Spanish hotel and tourism organisations report strong summer demand across the country. Hosbec forecasts that Valencia will exceed 93% occupancy in July‑September, while the Costa del Sol recorded an 89% hotel occupancy rate in June and expects around 85%‑95% in July‑August. In Andalusia, Málaga and Cádiz are projected to lead rural‑house occupancy in July with 85%‑90% fill rates. Castellón’s hotel average daily rate rose to €97.6 in the first half of the year and is expected to increase further during the high season.

National tourism data show Spain welcomed 36.8 million international visitors in the first five months of 2026, a 5% rise over the same period in 2025 and a record for that timeframe. May alone attracted 10.3 million tourists, up 9.5% year‑on‑year, with total visitor spending reaching €50.257 billion (up 7.8%). Industry leaders expect the total 2026 arrivals to surpass 100 million, potentially breaking the long‑standing barrier.

Hotel operators, represented by the Confederación Española de Hoteles y Alojamientos Turísticos (CEHAT), anticipate a new record of international guests this summer despite current booking levels being slightly lower than in 2025. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) has risen 6% in the first half, and average room rates are projected to reach around €200 in August. International flight connectivity to Spain is also set to grow by about 6% over the July‑September period, supporting the optimistic outlook.