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Date Published: 29/01/2026

Spain losing ground to cheaper North African sun spots

Jet2 CEO highlights tourist taxes and rising costs as holidaymakers look elsewhere

Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy has some sobering news for Spain's tourism industry: British holidaymakers are increasingly choosing other destinations this summer, mainly due to rising prices. "Price is critical; inflation has affected Spain more than other emerging markets, making the destination more expensive," he explained. "Tourist taxes don't help either; paying an additional five euros per person per night on top of the trip cost represents a significant expense."

In Barcelona, the overnight stay surcharge will soon hit €5 per night. The Balearic Islands like Majorca and Ibiza add an eco-tax ranging from €1 to €4 per person per night on accommodation. Airport operator Aena's planned 6.44% increase in charges for 2026 will make flying here even pricier.

Heapy points to North Africa as the main beneficiaries. "North Africa is performing well, with Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt standing out," he noted. Morocco offers winter sun with highs of 21C in February, flights from London to Marrakesh taking just 3 hours 40 minutes for as little as £15 on Ryanair. Tunisia saw 350,000 British visitors in 2024, up 65%, with 5-star holidays averaging £614 per person. Egypt's beach resorts like Sharm El Sheikh start from £219 including flights and breakfast.

You might also like: Canary Islands hit US travel blacklist for 2026 over tourism pressures

Spain faces other stiff competition. Places like Paros in Greece and Portugal's Algarve, Lisbon and Porto remain popular for their value. In Lisbon, quality house wine costs just a few euros, coffee around 80p.

For communities in Spain welcoming British visitors, these trends serve as a reminder that staying competitive matters. Tourist taxes and airport fees add up quickly for families planning summer getaways. While Spain's beaches and culture remain magnetic, other locations with a combination of short flights, warm weather and lower prices are proving hard to beat this year.

You might also be interested in: Ryanair signals higher fares as bookings soar and passenger targets grow

Image: Jarosław Miś/Pexels

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