Spain forecasts strong UK summer as officials push to ease 90-day rule

Spain Predicts Strong Summer Tourism Demand as UK Market Continues to Grow

Spain is forecasting another strong summer tourism season, with demand from the UK expected to remain particularly robust despite wider uncertainty across European travel markets.

New projections show UK seat capacity to Spain is expected to rise by 8.5% in June, reinforcing Britain’s position as one of the country’s most important inbound tourism markets.

Italy is forecast to record even stronger growth at 12%, while France is expected to increase by 2.6%, despite continued pressure from higher aviation fuel costs.

Germany, however, is showing signs of softening demand, with capacity projected to decline slightly by 0.6%. Nordic markets are expected to remain broadly positive, according to figures reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

Spain Confident Despite Wider Market Volatility

Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sánchez said the latest figures point towards “another good season” for Spain’s tourism industry, while stressing that authorities remain alert to potential instability linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“The data continues to indicate steady growth. In other words, we remain in a situation of calm, with normalised flows and confidence in the tourism sector,” Sánchez said.

“That does not mean we are not all on the alert, vigilant and aware of any signs that might indicate potential turbulence in our sector.”

Spanish tourism officials have adopted what Sánchez described as a policy of “vigilant reassurance” as European travel markets navigate wider geopolitical uncertainty.

Spain Pushes for Changes to Schengen Rules for British Travellers

The positive forecast comes as senior Spanish tourism figures continue lobbying for British visitors to be exempt from the Schengen Area’s post-Brexit 90-day rule.

Tourism leaders argue that the restriction is harming Spain’s economy by limiting the number of long-stay British holidaymakers and second-home owners visiting regions such as the Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

Former Tourism Secretaries Fernando Valdés and Héctor Gómez have both publicly supported easing the rule, saying the current system has created ongoing friction since Brexit.

Valdés said it is “in Spain’s interest to lobby” for greater flexibility, although he acknowledged that any long-term solution would need to come from the European Union rather than Spain acting independently.

Spain has previously proposed extending permitted stays for British travellers to six months, but current Schengen regulations still restrict non-EU visitors to 90 days within any 180-day period unless they obtain residency or long-stay visas.