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UK tourists in Spain set to be hit with £160 daily charges

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Holidaymakers planning a Spanish getaway this summer may need to find more money before their trip after a report warns that holidays in Spain are now “pricier than ever”.

The cost of dining out, hotel stays and even the cost of a pint have all seen a significant increase since last year, recent figures reveal.

Statistics from Spain’s National Statistics Institute for May indicate that prices in restaurants and hotels have risen by an average of 5.2% since 2023, with food costs increasing by 4.4% over the same period.

The price of tourist packages has shot up by a staggering 17.7% compared to last year, while hotel rates specifically have climbed by 9.4%.

Since 2019, the cost of a hotel stay in Spain has rocketed by 36.5%, while the price of a beer is now 27.8% more expensive. 

Travellers can expect to fork out 27.7% more for apartment rentals than they did five years ago, and dining out at a restaurant will set them back by over 20% more.

Spanish news outlet Murcia Today reported that tourist accommodation in Spain’s popular beach resorts are predicted to hike rates by an average of 7.3% this upcoming summer season. This equates to a nightly rate of 195 euros (or £164) – a rise from 182 euros (£154).

The cost of a Spanish holiday this year will fluctuate greatly depending on the region, with the Balearic Islands, Galicia and Castilla-La Mancha witnessing the sharpest price increases since 2019 at over 27%. 

When it comes to accommodation prices, Murcia and the Balearics have seen the biggest hikes, while regions in the Basque Country, Valencian Community and Madrid also exceed the 30% average.

The steep rise in prices has been attributed to a surge in international travel, as well as inflation. Predictions suggest that tourist numbers will continue to increase this summer, with the number of available flights from the UK to Spain rising by 8%.

It comes after thousands of Spanish locals have taken to the streets protesting overtourism and the subsequent hike in rent prices.

Over the weekend, police in Majorca intervened to prevent protesters from blocking tourists from accessing the island’s beaches amid escalating tensions.

Spanish officials have been taking steps to curb overtourism and “anti-social behaviour” through implementing heavy fines and stricter rules.

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