Advisory for Spain's tourism sector, the backbone of its economy

Spain is the world’s second largest international tourism destination, and the hospitality and tourism sector is the backbone of its economy. With more than 251,172 active companies and nearly 1,782,649 workers registered with Social Security, hospitality and tourism generate aggregate revenue exceeding €104.4 billion per year and contribute directly and indirectly 12% of GDP. Spain also holds a 14.9% share of the European Union’s tourism market, a position that reinforces the country’s appeal for international hotel investment and for operators seeking scale in southern Europe.

The sector’s economic structure reveals both its strengths and its tensions. The average gross margin of 23.1% is under constant pressure from labour costs, seasonality and growing regulation around tourist accommodation. The five-year survival rate of 36.1% makes clear that success in hospitality and tourism is far from automatic: it requires rigorous tax planning, the right corporate structure and professional management of regulatory and employment risk. Companies that work with specialist advisors navigate cycles and contingencies more effectively.

At BMC we advise hotel chains, restaurant groups, holiday rental operators, travel agencies, active tourism companies and investment funds specialising in hotel assets. Our services cover the tax and legal structuring of hotel acquisitions, due diligence on tourist assets and operations, tax planning for national and international hotel groups, VAT management in the sector and employment advisory for large, high-turnover workforces.

The rise of holiday rentals and the sharing economy has created new regulatory and tax advisory needs that we address with specialist knowledge. We also have extensive experience advising foreign investors acquiring hotel assets in Spain — optimising ownership structure and income taxation — and managing administrative procedures to obtain tourist licences in the main autonomous communities and tourist municipalities.

Key services for hospitality and tourism

Tax planning for hospitality and tourism requires mastery of the sector’s specific VAT rates: the reduced rate of 10% for hotel accommodation and restaurant services, the 10% rate for passenger transport, and the standard 21% rate for ancillary services. Travel agencies and tour operators are subject to the special VAT regime for travel agencies (REAV), with specific margin taxation rules and non-deductibility of input VAT. Correctly applying these rules across a complex hotel group or multi-service tourism operation requires specialist expertise.

Employment law in hospitality requires specialist knowledge of the sector’s collective agreements, the management of seasonal and casual workforces, and the regulation of tips following recent legislative changes. The hotel and catering sector records the highest rate of employment inspectorate activity of any sector in Spain, making proactive compliance management essential. We advise on workforce planning, seasonal contracting structures and the management of employment disputes with the SEPE and labour courts.

Grants and subsidies for tourism investment include the National Sustainable Tourism Plan, Next Generation EU funds for hotel energy renovation, Kit Digital for digitalisation of tourism businesses, and regional modernisation subsidies for tourist accommodation. We manage the full cycle from programme identification and application to technical and financial justification and audit management.

Regulatory challenges for hospitality and tourism

The regulation of short-term tourist rentals (VUTs) has evolved significantly, with autonomous communities and municipalities using their planning powers to limit or regulate tourist apartments. Restrictions in Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and other cities have reduced supply and increased licence costs in many markets. The legal viability and regulatory risk of each VUT project must be assessed case-by-case against the specific municipal and regional regulatory framework applicable.

ESG and sustainability is a strategic priority for the tourism sector. Environmental certifications (ISO 14001, Green Key, Biosphere), carbon audits, energy efficiency plans and the sustainability requirements of international tour operators are driving a structural transformation of the sector. We support tourism companies in developing ESG strategies, preparing CSRD-aligned reports and structuring green finance instruments.

KPIs and trends for Spanish tourism 2025-2026

Spain received more than 94 million international tourists in 2024, exceeding the all-time record, generating economic activity of more than €125 billion. Average hotel occupancy reached 68%, with peaks of 85-90% in premium destinations. Luxury travel and experience-based tourism — gastronomy, culture, nature — are the fastest-growing segments by profitability, with RevPAR growing 12% in 2024. At BMC we advise hotel groups, airlines, travel technology companies and tourism real estate investors with a fully integrated service combining tax, employment, legal and ESG advisory.

Key services for hospitality and tourism

Tax planning for hospitality and tourism requires mastery of the sector’s specific VAT rates: the reduced rate of 10% for hotel accommodation and restaurant services, the 10% rate for passenger transport, and the standard 21% rate for ancillary services. Travel agencies and tour operators are subject to the special VAT regime for travel agencies (REAV), with specific margin taxation rules and non-deductibility of input VAT. Correctly applying these rules across a complex hotel group or multi-service tourism operation requires specialist expertise.

Employment law in hospitality requires specialist knowledge of the sector’s collective agreements, the management of seasonal and casual workforces, and the regulation of tips following recent legislative changes. The hotel and catering sector records the highest rate of employment inspectorate activity of any sector in Spain, making proactive compliance management essential. We advise on workforce planning, seasonal contracting structures and the management of employment disputes with the SEPE and labour courts.

Grants and subsidies for tourism investment include the National Sustainable Tourism Plan, Next Generation EU funds for hotel energy renovation, Kit Digital for digitalisation of tourism businesses, and regional modernisation subsidies for tourist accommodation. We manage the full cycle from programme identification and application to technical and financial justification and audit management.

Regulatory challenges for hospitality and tourism

The regulation of short-term tourist rentals (VUTs) has evolved significantly, with autonomous communities and municipalities using their planning powers to limit or regulate tourist apartments. Restrictions in Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and other cities have reduced supply and increased licence costs in many markets. The legal viability and regulatory risk of each VUT project must be assessed case-by-case against the specific municipal and regional regulatory framework applicable.

ESG and sustainability is a strategic priority for the tourism sector. Environmental certifications (ISO 14001, Green Key, Biosphere), carbon audits, energy efficiency plans and the sustainability requirements of international tour operators are driving a structural transformation of the sector. We support tourism companies in developing ESG strategies, preparing CSRD-aligned reports and structuring green finance instruments.

KPIs and trends for Spanish tourism 2025-2026

Spain received more than 94 million international tourists in 2024, exceeding the all-time record, generating economic activity of more than €125 billion. Average hotel occupancy reached 68%, with peaks of 85-90% in premium destinations. Luxury travel and experience-based tourism — gastronomy, culture, nature — are the fastest-growing segments by profitability, with RevPAR growing 12% in 2024. At BMC we advise hotel groups, airlines, travel technology companies and tourism real estate investors with a fully integrated service combining tax, employment, legal and ESG advisory.