Catalonia’s tourism industry is showing its first signs of fatigue after years of record-breaking growth. Hotel and apartment prices continued to rise this summer, but at their slowest pace in five years — with increases even lagging behind overall inflation, a rare occurrence since 2020. The sector, which surged in the wake of the pandemic, may now be reaching its ceiling.
July figures suggested a possible turning point: international arrivals fell compared with the same month last year. Yet on a cumulative basis, visitor numbers since January remain higher than in 2024, keeping the industry near historic highs. Still, analysts warn the growth curve is flattening.
Joan Molas, president of Spain’s Tourism Board, admitted occupancy dipped slightly in late August in hotels and campsites, blaming extreme weather in regions such as Alt Empordà, Garrotxa and Cerdanya. September, however, has started strongly, fuelling hopes that both Spain and Catalonia will surpass last year’s record of nearly 94 million and 20 million foreign visitors respectively.
The financial data echo the same slowdown. Revenue per available room (RevPAR), which jumped around 10% between April and July in both 2023 and 2024, grew only 2.3% this year. Experts point to Europe’s economic climate, rising competition from Asia and a natural cooling after the post-pandemic boom.
For now, the sector remains robust, but the sense is clear: tourism’s golden surge may be levelling off.
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Source: Ara
