Spain’s popularity could trigger 5% holiday price rise next year, says Thomas Cook

Worth the increase: Spain is already great value for money, so a slight increase is money worth paying.

Thomas Cook, the leading travel agent, has told British holidaymakers that their Spanish getaway in 2018 is likely to be around 5-10% more expensive than this year due to a combination of increased demand and the weaker pound…

With many other parts of the Mediterranean now being abandoned by British, Irish and Scandinavian holidaymakers over terrorism fears, Spain has this year enjoyed record visitor numbers.

Official data points to 2017 being the best year ever for Spanish tourism, but as demand increases, supply is struggling to keep up. As a result, Thomas Cook believes that holidays could be up to 10% more expensive next year.

The travel agent said that there is “firm evidence” that holidaymakers are determined to turn their backs on Turkey and Egypt – despite resorts in these countries often being viewed as cheaper than their Spanish counterparts.

Safety trumps affordability, Thomas Cook said, and although the pound is set to weaken further against the euro next year, the number of British visitors heading to Spain in 2018 is unlikely to change, said Thomas Cook Chief Executive Peter Fankhauser.

The executive added that some Spanish hoteliers would look to “take advantage” of the country’s unique position by increasing prices, but he added that the majority would look to steer profits into improving and expanding their facilities to ensure that their gains are for the long term rather than short term.