Spain’s Appeal Declines For Holidaymakers As Protests Lead Brits To Choose Italy, Greece, And More

Published on September 9, 2025

In a twelvemonth marked by important protests against wide tourism, Spain has seen a diminution successful its entreaty among British holidaymakers. According to a caller study by Slice Mobile, 56% of respondents reported that they avoided Spain this twelvemonth owed to nan ongoing protests that person disrupted celebrated tourer areas. While Spain has agelong been a favourite summertime destination for travelers from nan UK, caller anti-tourism demonstrations person near galore questioning their picnic plans, prompting a displacement towards different destinations.

The study results bespeak a notable alteration successful recreation patterns, pinch Italy and Greece taking nan lead arsenic nan astir celebrated alternatives for British visitors successful 2023. 79% of respondents revealed that anti-tourism protests person made Spain little attractive, and successful ray of this, holidaymakers are choosing destinations that connection some taste entreaty and a much welcoming atmosphere.

The Rise of Italy, Greece, and Long-Haul Destinations

As protests against tourism continued successful Spain, different destinations person surged successful popularity. Italy, often a go-to destination for its rich | history, art, and cuisine, emerged arsenic nan top vacation hotspot for British travelers, pinch 19% of respondents favoring nan state this year. Close behind, Greece followed pinch 16% of nan vote, arsenic visitors were drawn to its beautiful islands, ancient ruins, and Mediterranean charm.

The inclination towards long-haul destinations besides became apparent, pinch countries for illustration America, Dubai, and moreover Canada taking a larger stock of nan British recreation market. The changing preferences are reflected successful nan database of apical destinations for those avoiding Spain:

• Italy – 19%
• Greece – 16%
• America – 15%
• Dubai – 13%
• Canary Islands – 13%
• France – 12%
• Portugal – 11%

In addition, much exotic locations for illustration Turkey, Thailand, and nan Maldives are gaining traction, suggesting that holidaymakers are progressively consenting to research new, little crowded options for their vacations.

Impact connected Spain’s Tourism and Economy

For Spain, nan protests against wide tourism person caused interest wrong nan recreation industry, particularly successful cities for illustration Barcelona and Madrid, wherever nan demonstrations person been astir prevalent. The protests, often focused connected overcrowding and biology concerns, person led to disruptions successful cardinal tourer areas, frustrating some visitors and section residents.

This diminution successful tourism is not conscionable a interest for Spain’s tourism sector; it has broader implications for nan local economy, arsenic tourism has agelong been a awesome contributor to Spain’s GDP. While regions for illustration nan Canary Islands stay popular, mainland Spain is experiencing a noticeable displacement successful visitant behavior. Local businesses and hotels successful Spain, particularly successful overtouristed areas, whitethorn consciousness nan effect of this change, pinch less visitors flocking to nan emblematic tourer hubs.

For business travelers, this displacement successful tourism trends besides intends a reevaluation of business trips to Spain. While Spain remains an basal destination for galore industries, professionals whitethorn statesman to look for replacement cities aliases countries that connection a little politically charged situation for work-related travel.

Alternative Destinations Gaining Popularity

With Spain’s entreaty declining for some, different destinations are benefiting from nan changing recreation trends. Italy, Greece, and Dubai connection a blend of luxury, culture, and beautiful weather, making them perfect spots for some business and leisure travelers. These destinations supply a much relaxed atmosphere, wherever visitors tin bask nan sights without worrying astir ongoing protests.

Italy, for instance, continues to captivate visitors pinch its humanities landmarks for illustration nan Colosseum, Vatican City, and picturesque towns for illustration Florence and Venice. Meanwhile, Greece draws travelers for its stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant nightlife, particularly connected islands for illustration Santorini and Mykonos. For those seeking thing much cosmopolitan, Dubai offers luxury shopping, innovative architecture, and top-tier resorts.

Business and Leisure Travel successful 2023: A Changing Landscape

The displacement successful tourer preferences besides highlights nan evolving demands for some business travel and vacation destinations. As destinations for illustration Italy and Greece emergence successful popularity, location are clear benefits for businesses operating successful these regions. Business travelers are apt to favour destinations that are welcoming and little affected by governmental unrest, making Greece and Italy much appealing for firm events, conferences, and inducement recreation programs.

Meanwhile, tourists are embracing nan changing recreation landscape. With nan correct operation of history, culture, and modern conveniences, countries for illustration Italy and Greece are providing nan cleanable escape. With longer formation times, long-haul options for illustration America, Canada, and Dubai are besides seeing an uptick successful interest, offering travelers unsocial experiences that are not disposable successful much accepted European destinations.

Travel Tips for Those Looking to Avoid Spain

If you’re readying a picnic this autumn aliases wintertime and are considering destinations beyond Spain, present are a fewer tips to guarantee you make nan astir of your holiday:

1. Research Local Travel Restrictions and Protests: While countries for illustration Italy and Greece are seeing an summation successful popularity, it’s ever important to cheque for immoderate imaginable protests aliases disruptions that whitethorn impact your trip.
2. Book Accommodations Early: With Italy and Greece being highly popular, particularly successful awesome tourer areas, beryllium judge to book accommodations good successful beforehand to unafraid nan champion rates.
3. Explore Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations: While Rome and Florence are ever awesome choices, see visiting smaller towns successful Italy aliases Greece for a much serene and authentic experience.
4. Check International Roaming Rates: For long-haul travelers heading to destinations for illustration America aliases Dubai, it’s important to guarantee you person a mobile scheme that offers worth for world roaming.

Key Takeaways for Travelers

• 56% of Brits avoided Spain this twelvemonth owed to ongoing anti-tourism protests.
• Italy, Greece, and Dubai are emerging arsenic apical destinations for those avoiding Spain.
• Business travelers whitethorn find Italy and Greece much suitable for firm trips amid governmental unrest successful Spain.
• Tourists are opting for much divers destinations, pinch countries for illustration Turkey, Thailand, and Canada becoming much popular.
• Travel Tips: Book early, investigation immoderate recreation restrictions, and see off-the-beaten-path destinations for a much relaxed experience.

As Spain faces challenges pinch protests affecting tourism, travelers are uncovering caller destinations to explore, reflecting a broader inclination successful nan evolving recreation industry.

Source: BristolLive