Tourist numbers in Andalucía dropped by 5.2% in July compared to the previous year, marking the largest decline in two decades outside of the pandemic.

A representative from the hospitality industry called the month “strange,” attributing the decrease in visitors to the Euro 2024 football tournament and English tourists opting to travel to Germany for the event.

Domestic tourism experienced an 11% decline, while the number of foreign visitors increased by 4.5%. 

Coastal provinces were hit the hardest, with Cádiz experiencing a 10% fall, Málaga seeing a 6% drop, and Huelva facing a 4% reduction compared to the previous year. 

Inland, Córdoba, known for its rich heritage, saw a 9% decline. However, Jaén saw an increase of over 5%, and Sevilla recorded a slight rise of just under 1%, The Olive Press reports.

Despite the drop in tourist numbers, hotel overnight stays in Andalucía increased by 0.5% in July compared to the previous year, reaching 6.6 million stays and extending a streak of 40 consecutive months of growth. 

Javier Frutos, president of the Andalucían Hotel and Catering Federation, noted that the decrease in visitors particularly affected beach bars, bars, and restaurants, especially during the first half of July.

Frutos commented that the decline in domestic tourism was “very noticeable” with the Euro 2024 cited as “one of the main reasons for the decrease of British visitors, mainly to the Costa del Sol.

“Many chose to travel to Germany and that reduced tourism on the Andalucían coast,” he went on to add.

The Andalucían Hotel and Catering Federation president also said that the second half of July was significantly better and more typical for the season, despite what he described as an overall “strange July.”