Exceltur presents a decalogue of priorities to the Government emerging from the 2026 elections

The Spanish tourism sector is preparing for the general elections of November 29, 2026 with a clear roadmap. Exceltur, the association grouping 30 companies in the sector, has presented a decalogue of priorities directed at the next Executive. The objective is for tourism to cease being a policy of circumstance and become a State political priority, with real resources and inter-ministerial coordination.

A decalogue to transform the sector

Óscar Perelli, Executive Vice President of Exceltur, has pointed out that the last legislature has shown "good will" but has lacked "transformative results." For the new Government, the association proposes ten key measures:

1. Highest political priority: Transfer tourism competencies to the Presidency of the Government to guarantee a cross-cutting vision and a budget with transformative capacity.
2. Infrastructure: Reinforce investment in airports (without raising DORA III fees), recover the capacity of high-speed rail, and improve port infrastructure.
3. Energy and tax relief: Temporarily postpone the increase in fees for airlines, establish aid against fuel price hikes, and temporarily flexibilize the obligations of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and the EU ETS (European Emissions Trading System).
4. Artificial Intelligence: Accelerate the adoption of AI throughout the value chain, especially in SMEs, to improve productivity and customer experience.
5. Administrative simplification: Streamline investment in the renewal of the tourism product and the construction of housing for employees.
6. Destination regeneration: Public and private investment to modernize mature coastal destinations, with shared governance between administrations and the private sector.
7. Local financing: Reform the system to take into account the floating population and the additional costs of tourist municipalities. Exceltur proposes creating stable financing mechanisms linked to VAT revenues.
8. Tourist rental: Regulate it as an economic activity, taxing it with the corresponding VAT, differentiating it from seasonal rental and involving digital platforms to avoid illegal supply.
9. Workplace absenteeism: Promote a comprehensive policy to reduce absenteeism levels, which hinder productivity.
10. Employment and training: A national strategy for integration and training to incorporate and retain professionals, aligning vocational and university training with the sector's needs.

A positive summer, but with cost pressures

Although the sector closes a 2026 summer "better than expected," the figures reveal tensions. The tourism GDP has grown by 3.5% in summer, according to figures released by Exceltur. Exceltur maintains its annual forecast for tourism GDP growth at 2.7%. According to references, the sector's contribution to the Spanish economy would approach 227 billion euros, about 14 billion more than in 2025, and close to 13% of national GDP.

However, the growth in company sales (4.1%) has not been directly transferred to business results due to the escalation of costs, which has grown by 7%. Among the main pressures are:

• Fuels: +7.3%
• Energy: +6.9%
• Interest rates: +25%
• Labor costs: +5%

International demand and transport

Foreign demand has been the main engine, with a growth in spending of 9% and in arrivals of 6%. The North American market has stood out with a rebound of 14% in arrivals. In contrast, high-speed rail has fallen by 7% due to operational problems, a diversion that has been absorbed by plane, bus, and private vehicle.

Regarding vacation rentals, the reduction in the supply of tourist homes has slowed down after a Supreme Court ruling on the Digital Unique Registry, going from drops of 11% to 8%. Exceltur insists on the need to sanction platforms that market unregulated supply and to apply VAT to this activity, a measure that seeks to level competition with the hotel sector.

Conclusion

The message from Exceltur is clear: tourism is a key economic engine, but it needs a long-term national plan that goes beyond good will. The next legislature will be decisive in determining whether Spain can maintain its tourism leadership in a context of rising costs and intense global competition.