In a world shaken by trade wars and economic uncertainty, tourism in Alicante is standing strong as a safe haven for investors.
That was the main takeaway from the first ‘Investor Day’ hosted by hotel association Hosbec and Banc Sabadell, where experts highlighted tourism’s resilience and long-term appeal.
Despite globalisation, tourism remains rooted in place — people still love to return to their favourite spots, and you can’t outsource a beach or a sunset.
Fede Fuster, president of Hosbec, pointed out that tourism now accounts for 16% of GDP in the Valencia region — three points above the national average — with nearly €18 billion in spending. Since the pandemic, it’s become the area’s top economic driver. In 2024 alone, over €3.3 billion has been poured into 180 hotel assets across Spain, making up 30% of all real estate investment. Four- and five-star hotels remain the big draw, snapping up 65% of the money, and 9 in 10 investors say they’ll keep or increase their stake in the sector.
Urban hotels led the pack with 53% of total investment, boosted by the trend of turning old office buildings into places to stay. City outskirts and commuter hubs are also attracting attention — lower costs, decent returns. Hotel groups are doing most of the buying (38%), followed by wealthy families and private investors (30%). Investment firms played it more cautiously this year, dialling back compared to 2023.
The general view? Hotels are a stable bet, delivering better returns than many other assets. Prices of hotel properties in Spain are expected to rise by 3%. Meanwhile, local councils like Burriana, Gandía, Cullera, and San Javier are rolling out the red carpet for hotel investment — offering tax breaks, looser building rules, and even European funding. Benidorm, the old-school success story, still sets the standard 70 years on. All signs point to tourism not just surviving, but thriving — and investors are taking note.
