Hotusa chief warns Spain’s low‑cost tourism model is exhausted and urges shift toward higher‑spending visitors
Executive summary: Amancio López stated that Spain’s tourism cannot be infinite, declared the low‑cost model obsolete, and urged the sector to pursue higher‑spending tourists while criticising tourist apartments for fueling tourismophobia. The comment signals a potential policy shift toward premium tourism, affecting hotel investment, short‑term‑rental regulation, and regional economies that depend on visitor spending.
Who is involved: Amancio López (Hotusa president), Spanish hotel and tourism sector, short‑term‑rental platforms, local and national tourism authorities.
Likely next: Increased scrutiny of tourist‑rental licences, possible incentives for luxury hotel development, and marketing campaigns targeting affluent international travellers.
Amancio López, president of hotel group Hotusa, told El País that Spain cannot rely on endless growth of cheap tourism and that the current low‑cost model no longer works. He argues the industry must attract tourists with greater purchasing power and blames the proliferation of short‑term rental apartments for rising anti‑tourist sentiment. The remarks highlight a growing debate over the future composition of Spain’s visitor base and the regulatory pressure on tourist‑rental markets.
Timeline
- — Amancio López, presidente de Hotusa: “El turismo en España no puede ser infinito. El modelo de bajo coste ya no vale” (El País — Economía)
- — Ifema encuentra tierra fértil fuera de España (El País — Economía)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Potential regulatory crackdown on short‑term rentals in major Spanish cities
Sectors affected
- Tourism
- Hospitality
- Real Estate (short‑term rentals)
- Travel
Regulatory implications
- Stricter licensing and density limits for tourist apartments
- Incentives or tax benefits for upscale hotel construction
Historical parallels
- Barcelona’s 2023 Airbnb‑style rental restrictions
- Venice’s visitor caps and tourism tax to curb overcrowding
- Japan’s post‑2020 shift toward high‑value, experience‑focused tourism
Key entities
Sources
- Amancio López, presidente de Hotusa: “El turismo en España no puede ser infinito. El modelo de bajo coste ya no vale” — El País — Economía
- Ifema encuentra tierra fértil fuera de España — El País — Economía
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