**Spanish Tourist Hotspots See Sharp Drop in UK Visitors, Turning Popular Beaches into ‘Ghost Towns’**
In a surprising shift for one of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations, Spanish coastal resorts that are usually bursting with visitors throughout the summer have seen an unprecedented slide in the number of UK tourists this year. The dramatic downturn has left once-busy beaches and holiday strips eerily quiet, with business owners and residents alike voicing concerns over the changing landscape of summer tourism.
Reports surfaced this week showing iconic seaside resorts such as Benidorm and the Costa del Sol – typically magnets for British holidaymakers – with empty deckchairs, quiet promenades and restaurants noticeably short of customers. The spectacle has prompted some visitors and expatriates to describe the scene as nothing less than a “ghost town”, especially during what should be the high point of the summer season.
One British expat, Harry Poulton, aged 24, recently shared a video on social media documenting his experience on the usually lively Benidorm strip. Filming during the heart of July, Poulton remarked in disbelief at the near-deserted streets, noting, “It’s the middle of July… look behind me, it’s dead. I’m on the Benidorm strip, there’s barely any people. It’s the quietest I’ve ever seen it.” His remarks echoed the sentiments of other visitors, many of whom were equally taken aback by the subdued atmosphere in Spain’s famed holiday hotspots.
Social media responses to Poulton’s post paint a picture of changing tourism dynamics, with some commenting on a notable shift in the type of visitors. Rather than the usual crowds of young revellers and large group celebrations, families now appear to dominate the scene, marking a departure from Benidorm’s typical reputation as a hub for stag and hen parties.
Local business leaders are becoming increasingly vocal about the economic consequences of this downturn. Miguel Pérez-Marsá, president of the nightlife association in Benidorm, recently told a local newspaper that the decline in tourists, particularly those from the UK, is having a real impact. “The tourists we’re interested in are being driven away; they don’t feel welcome and are going to other destinations,” Pérez-Marsá stated, highlighting the concern that Spain’s ongoing social and political controversies may be influencing holidaymakers’ choices.
Further compounding the issue, Pedro Oliver, who leads the College of Tour Guides, has reported a sharp 20 per cent drop in excursion sales this summer. He clarified that international news on Spain’s anti-tourism protests and crowding is deterring potential visitors. “If you generate negative news, which resonates in other countries, people choose to go elsewhere for their holidays,” Oliver cautioned, adding, “We are sending the message that we don’t want tourists and that everything is too crowded.”
Indeed, recent months have seen a wave of anti-tourism protests across many Spanish cities and islands. Residents have grown increasingly vocal over concerns about the cost of living, soaring rents and house prices, and the strain placed on infrastructure by mass tourism. In particular, the Balearic Islands — including Majorca and Menorca — have become the focus of high-profile demonstrations. Environmental groups and activist collectives have even issued public letters urging holidaymakers to reconsider their plans to visit the islands.
Such protests appear to have taken their toll on the country’s international reputation as a worry-free holiday destination. While the government and tourism industry have promoted Spain’s vibrant culture, warm climate and beautiful Mediterranean coastline for decades, this summer’s downturn suggests that both domestic pressures and shifting tourist sentiments may be starting to change established patterns.
Local businesses, whose livelihoods depend on robust tourist numbers, have started to feel the pinch. Several reports suggest that some staff are being sent on unplanned leave due to the dearth of customers, an almost unthinkable scenario for July and August.
As Spain grapples with the complicated fallout from overtourism and local backlash, many are left questioning what comes next for its famed beaches and bustling promenades. Can the country find a balance between sustainable tourism and economic vitality, or will these “ghost towns” become the new normal for Spain’s once-thriving resorts? For now, the sun-soaked coastlines remain quiet, waiting for the return of the crowds that once defined them.