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Easter bookings rise despite conflict concerns, but travel disruption clouds outlook in parts of Spain
Tourism demand shifts towards Spain as global tensions grow, while transport issues threaten local impact
Spain’s tourism sector is showing surprising resilience ahead of Easter, with early booking data suggesting a strong season despite ongoing international uncertainty.Travel platforms are already reporting an uptick in demand, with Spain benefitting from travellers reconsidering destinations affected by instability in the Middle East. “The data, from both Spanish and foreign tourists, is very positive, despite everything that’s happening,” said Beatriz Oficialdegui, communications director at Destinia.
Figures from the agency indicate that sales for the upcoming Easter period are forecast to be 50% higher than last year, helped in part by the earlier timing of the holiday and a shift in travel preferences. Demand for Spain has risen steadily, with bookings increasing by around 10% since the conflict began, as tourists look for destinations perceived as safe.
This reflects a broader trend already noted earlier this month, when rising geopolitical tensions were seen as likely to influence travel, energy and daily life in Spain.
However, there are still cautions within the industry. “Spain will benefit, but if we raise prices too much, people may ultimately choose other destinations that are also considered safe,” Oficialdegui warned, pointing to competition from countries such as Italy and Portugal.
Airline industry sources have also played down the scale of any immediate shift, noting that routes linked directly to affected regions represent just 1.3% of traffic.
At the same time, the conflict has already had knock-on effects in Spain, including a sharp spike in electricity prices in early March.
There are also questions around costs. While fuel prices have fluctuated in recent weeks, earlier concerns about petrol increases affecting travel decisions have not yet translated into a drop in bookings.
Transport disruption raises concerns on the Costa del Sol
While the national picture appears broadly positive, the situation is more complicated in parts of southern Spain, particularly along the Costa del Sol.The delayed reopening of the high-speed rail link between Málaga and Madrid is expected to have a noticeable impact during this key holiday period. Local estimates suggest that up to 195,000 traveller could be affected by reduced connectivity until mid-April.
Hoteliers warn that the consequences are already being felt. In Málaga city, bookings have dropped by around 30%, with inland destinations expected to be hit hardest. The disruption is also slowing seasonal hiring, as businesses hold back on recruitment due to uncertainty.
Industry leaders stress that ease of travel remains critical. “Connectivity is a determining factor in travellers’ decision-making,” said Jorge Marichal, president of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation. He added that if transport issues combine with rising fuel costs, “the competitiveness of our destinations is significantly reduced.”
The concern follows recent reporting that the Málaga AVE line will remain closed through Easter, limiting access during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Overall, while Spain appears well placed to benefit from shifting travel patterns this Easter, the coming weeks will be key in determining whether strong demand can outweigh the challenges posed by infrastructure and pricing pressures.
Image: Kristijan Arsov/Unsplash
