Spain has seen a notable rise in the cost of rooms and stays across hotels, hostels, and similar accommodations over the past year. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show a 50.5 percent year-over-year jump in accommodation prices. The same report also highlights a lift in international flight costs, underscoring a broad pattern of higher travel expenses for many households.
With travel restrictions easing and activity levels rebounding, April alone contributed a 19.4 percent increase in hotel prices compared with March, adding to gains recorded in preceding months. Taken together, last year’s ascent has now surpassed the 50 percent mark in overall accommodation costs.
In April, prices for holiday centers, campgrounds, youth hostels, and related services remained steady from March and posted a 1.7 percent year-over-year uptick. The INE release also notes that when looking at the broad category of restaurants and hotels, prices rose 1.7 percent month over month in April, and the year-over-year rise reached 5.8 percent, up 1.4 points from March.
CPI fell to 8.3% in April, one-tenth more than expected
Accommodation services contributed significantly to the overall CPI reading, which stood at 8.3 percent for April. Prices rose by 11.7 percent from March to April, while the annual variation accelerated to 27.9 percent. This reflects continued inflationary pressure across the tourism and hospitality sectors as the economy recovers from earlier disruptions.
More than 11% on tour packages
Tourist packages experienced a 10.7 percent month-over-month increase in April, with a yearly pace up to 12.3 percent. The surge is partly attributed to the Easter holidays, which occurred in April this year, boosting demand for both domestic and international travel options.
Domestic national tourist packages rose 7.4 percent month over month in April, driven by favorable weather and renewed interest in domestic getaways. International tourist packages also climbed by 12.3 percent in the same comparison, reflecting persistent demand for overseas travel alongside higher costs.
Year-to-date figures show that national tourist packages have risen 8.3 percent compared with the same period last year, while international packages advanced around 14 percent. In the travel mix, springtime activity pushed up flight prices as well, with domestic tickets increasing by 2.8 percent and international tickets by 12.3 percent on a monthly basis.
Over the last twelve months, domestic flights rose by 3.8 percent and international flights by 9.6 percent, further illustrating the broader inflationary trend affecting air travel and related services.
Moderation of the general CPI
Overall, Spain’s CPI eased to a monthly decline of 0.2 percent in April, helped by cheaper electricity and gasoline. This led to a reduction of the annual rate by 1.5 percentage points to 8.3 percent. These numbers represent a notable improvement relative to the late-month estimates from INE, which had pointed to an annual inflation rate near 8.4 percent and a slightly negative monthly change in April. The single-month fall is a rare occurrence in recent decades, marking the first monthly decline after two months of increases in early spring.
Analysts point to lower electricity and fuel costs as the primary drivers behind the softer annual CPI. The combination of energy-price relief and continued demand for travel-related services helps explain the mixed picture of ongoing inflation alongside pockets of price moderation in specific categories.
In summary, inflation remains elevated, yet April delivered a meaningful moderation in the CPI trajectory, signaling a potential shift in energy markets and consumer spending patterns as the year progresses. The sustained impact of energy costs, transport pricing, and tourism dynamics will continue to shape Spain’s price developments in the months ahead, as observed by statistical authorities and market observers alike.