Tourism authorities reported a strong week for visitors, with actual numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels in many Spanish destinations. The national tourism organization noted that several operators were billing above 2019 levels, though it also warned that costs rose in tandem with higher energy and food prices.
Juan Molas, president of the Spanish Tourism Board, noted that during Easter hotel occupancy ranged from eight to nine tenths across the country. Public transport data showed over two million train passengers and more than 57,000 flights serving almost all major tourist spots in Spain during the holidays.
He cautioned that expenses increased noticeably, driven largely by energy and food costs, which means that the operating balance for many firms does not look the same as it did in 2019.
According to the board head, bills were similar to or higher than those in 2019, but the price pressure has grown significantly, a point he shared in an interview with Antena 3, later cited by Europa Press.
The industry outlook is positive for the coming months, with expectations for a robust spring season. Booking activity across European markets remained strong, particularly from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, and distant destinations continued to recover as well.
Spain’s tourism sector has absorbed the loss of the Russian travel market, a gap offset by arrivals from other regions. The outlook suggests a broad recovery for global tourism, especially domestic travel within Spain, unless a new, extraordinary adverse event disrupts the pattern.
Molas acknowledged that business tourism remains below its full recovery and that a steady upturn is unlikely until the latter half of the year or early 2023. The shift toward teleworking and virtual meetings has cut traditional business travel for many Spanish companies, contributing to slower rebound in this segment.
skilled workforce
Despite substantial private-sector investments in training programs, the Tourism Board emphasizes that the industry faces ongoing challenges in sourcing skilled workers. Government measures are seen as essential to sustain progress and address gaps in the labor market.
In regions with year-round tourism, such as the islands and the Levante coast, the labor situation is more stable due to a permanent staff base. However, in other areas—Catalonia, the Costa Brava, the Costa Dorada, and the Costa del Sol—there are persistent gaps between demand and available qualified personnel.
Consequently, Molas warned of a potential shortage of skilled hospitality and hotel workers during peak shoulder periods from midsummer onward through late summer and into September, underscoring the need for proactive staffing strategies.