|
IN BRIEF
|
At the beginning of summer 2025, the Catalan coast, usually bustling with life as the high season approaches, is questioning itself. Professionals, merchants, and restaurateurs in Canet-en-Roussillon, as well as elsewhere along the coast of the Pyrénées-Orientales, are noting a clear drop in tourist attendance, starting as early as June. The terraces are no longer overflowing, the roads are clear, and the beach shops are struggling to regain their usual hustle and bustle. So, where have the vacationers gone who once brought life to the Catalan destination as soon as the first sunny days arrived? An analysis of a summer season that defies predictions, amid economic concerns, new behaviors, and hopes for the rest of the summer.
Summer attendance declining since June
Every year, the Catalan destination captures the attention of visitors for its variety of activities, Mediterranean climate, and stunning views. However, 2025 marks a turning point: attendance is noticeably decreasing. On the beaches of Canet-en-Roussillon, the usual spectacle of tightly packed umbrellas gives way to less crowded expanses. Merchants are observing that the lack of tourists is no longer confined to the first half of July but starts much earlier, as soon as June. Even the coveted parking spaces are now available, further confirming the trend.
The phenomenon reflects a reality observable in many tourist regions of Europe, similar to Italy which, despite hosting 645 million tourists in 2024, is also experiencing regional variations. French Catalonia, on the other hand, is facing a situation that raises questions and necessitates adaptation.
Merchants and restaurateurs on the front lines
At the heart of the Catalan coast, tourism players are seeing the direct impact of this drop in attendance on their daily activities. Jordan, manager of the restaurant La Siesta, cuts his evening service in half compared to a good season; cash flow is feeling the strain and discussions inevitably revolve around the purchasing power of vacationers. Clients are now making restrictive choices, opting for less sophisticated dishes, counting their budgets, and many are willing to forego certain dining expenses.
Similar testimonies come from ice cream vendors and beach sellers, where only children’s purchases are resisting this gloom. The team of an ice cream shop notes a 30% drop in revenue compared to previous years, despite favorable weather conditions. Merchants are adjusting by offering economic formulas, like a snack bar proudly displaying a €16.50 option to attract a clientele more attentive to their spending.
What factors explain the decline in attendance?
The reasons for this disaffection are manifold. First and foremost, the general economic situation plays an undeniable role. Vacationers have a tighter budget, and the “travel” budget often becomes a variable adjustment. New administrative requirements, particularly for crossing certain borders, also need to be taken into account, as evidenced by the need for at least €118 per day to enter Spain in 2025.
In addition, there is the parking issue, frequently cited. The difficulty of finding a parking space discourages some occasional visitors, even as neighboring municipalities are betting on free parking to attract clients. Others prefer to explore new destinations, whether it’s a paradisiacal island recently opened to tourism or opting for more economically appealing “all-inclusive” trips.
Changes in behavior and new expectations of tourists
In the face of this situation, professionals in the sector are slightly tempering the narrative. For Brice Sannac, president of the Union of Hospitality Professions and Industries of the Pyrénées-Orientales, the Catalan destination is not being rejected. Rather, it is the behaviors that are evolving, with a lesser anticipation of bookings and an increased tendency to last-minute departures. June, which had shown good results in previous years, did not replicate this success in 2025, but it has not led to catastrophic thinking.
In the outdoor hospitality industry, the occupancy rate remains relatively stable, hovering around 70% for the first half of July, comparable to the previous year. However, the decline in consumption—fewer meals eaten out, fewer outings—affects the overall revenue of the sector. The behavior of post-pandemic vacationers seems to be dictated by new constraints, where the concern for saving money prevails.
June and the phenomenon of deferred departures
However, a large part of professionals still holds hope. Many families are waiting for August to leave, delaying their stays as much as possible to take advantage of better offers or simply due to organizational necessities. This unprecedented delay weighs on the beginning of the season but could balance out, at least partially, in the second half of the summer.
The situation of the Catalan destination is not isolated. Several studies show that vacationers are postponing or limiting their stays, for instance, benefiting from free vacations in Canada through certain programs, or adjusting their destination based on costs and administrative requirements. Furthermore, new markets, such as Asian tourism, are influencing flows throughout the European continent, mirroring a strong Chinese presence in Japan according to recent trends.
The season remains to be invented
Although June did not meet its promises in the Pyrénées-Orientales, the season is still young. Professionals, while adapting their offerings and adjusting to consumption behaviors, remain watchful for market developments. Catalan tourism is undergoing a period of transformation, amid economic realities and upheaval in traveler practices, yet retains its natural assets and attractiveness potential for those who can understand and embrace new expectations.
