Tapping into Tourism: Spain's Growth Driven by the Tourism Sector
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Tourism will be the main growth driver this year
The slowdown in the Spanish economy can be attributed to the overall deceleration of the global economy. Nevertheless, Spain is poised to become the best-performing economy among the larger eurozone countries this year. We forecast average growth of 2.2% for Spain this year, well above the eurozone average of 0.4%.
Continued growth in the tourism sector will be the main driver of Spain's higher growth rates. Although the number of international tourists entering Spain in 2022 was still 14% below pre-pandemic levels, the gap may be closing this year. In May, the number of international visitors had already risen to 104% of the pre-pandemic level, compared with 88% in May 2022. Strong travel demand points to a promising tourist season ahead. Contributing about 15% to GDP, the tourism sector will remain one of the main catalysts for economic growth throughout the year.
The number of foreign tourists increased above pre-Covid levels in April and May (in millions)
Spanish headline inflation reaches 1.9%
Spanish inflation has fallen faster than in other eurozone countries. In June, Spanish inflation stood at 1.9% year-on-year, while the eurozone recorded 5.5%. These positive developments can be attributed to more favourable base effects from energy prices, which rose faster in Spain than in other countries last year. However, if these favourable base effects fade in the coming months, Spanish headline inflation could rise again. In addition, the phasing out of several government measures by early 2024 is expected to have an upward effect on inflation.
Spanish core inflation, excluding energy and food prices, remains remarkably high at 5.9% and is even above the eurozone average of 5.4%. Core inflation is expected to remain at a high level throughout the year and gradually decline. Yet there are indications that core inflation is also on a sustained downward trend. For instance, inflation in the buoyant hospitality sector, which accounts for 14% of the inflation basket, is cooling markedly despite strong sustained demand on the back of a strong tourist season. Core inflation is expected to remain at high levels throughout the year and only gradually decline.
Slowing momentum despite tourism recovery
For 2023, we expect growth of 2.2%, well above the eurozone average of 0.4%. Although the economy performed strongly in the first quarter, momentum is expected to wane as financial conditions tighten. The main driver of growth will be net exports, supported by the continued recovery of the tourism sector, which surpassed pre-pandemic levels in May and April. Although headline inflation fell to 1.9% in June, it is expected to rise in the coming months due to less favourable base effects for energy and persistent core inflation.
Spanish economy in a nutshell (%YoY)
