79.3% say tourist flats drive up rents in Spain

Tourist flats are pushing up rents and making regular homes harder to find, according to 79.3% of people in a Spanish survey of 6,029. The Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas carried out its ‘Tourism and Gastronomy’ study this summer, with the findings reported from Madrid on 9 September 2026. Another 76.7% say tourist flats often cause neighbour disputes between tourists and local residents.

Climate fears for coastal tourism

The survey also found 82.5% expect climate change to harm tourism in Spain, while 10.5% expect a positive effect.

Some 79.2% are very or fairly convinced that higher temperatures could cut summer tourist arrivals on the Mediterranean coast. At the same time, 90.9% believe northern Spain could see greater tourist demand during the summer months.

Looking ahead ten years, 80.6% think climate change could affect Spain’s tourism sector. For 66.4%, those effects will be negative.

Hotels remain the main holiday choice

Hotels and aparthotels are the most-used holiday accommodation, chosen by 46.9% of those surveyed. Staying with family or friends comes next at 12.6%, followed by rental homes or tourist apartments at 14%.

For holiday destinations, 38.2% prefer a coastal town or one close to the coast. Another 25.8% choose a coastal city or one nearby, while 21.4% favour a village in the countryside or mountains.

Topics: Housing · Tourism · Food & dining · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com