Seville’s tourism sector has seen remarkable growth, with significant increases in passenger traffic, short-term rentals, and tourist numbers. The city’s growing popularity has led to both positive economic impacts and the rise of overtourism, challenging the local government to find a balance between maintaining its status as a top tourist destination and ensuring a sustainable experience for residents and visitors alike.
Booming passenger traffic
According to the information from the AENA Group, in 2024, Seville’s airport saw a significant increase in passenger traffic, with a total of 9.2 million passengers, up from 8.1 million in 2023 and 7.5 million in 2019. Of the total, 4.7 million passengers were international, and 4.5 million were domestic.
The majority of travelers, 60%, visited for leisure, while 18% traveled for business. This growth in passenger numbers reflects Seville’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination.
Introducing a tourist fee for popular spots
Based on the information of Euronews, in 2024 Seville was considering to introduce a fee of €3 to €4 for tourists wishing to visit the Plaza de España, as part of a strategy to manage the increasing number of visitors to the city.
Based on The Guardian with over 3 million tourists annually and a population of 700,000, Seville is the third most visited city in Spain, a country where tourism plays a significant role in the economy. The proposed measure aims to tackle overtourism and maintain the quality of the visitor experience at popular public spaces.
The short-term rental surge
The growing popularity of short-term rentals in Seville has become a significant factor in the city’s tourism dynamics.
- Number of listings : According to data from Inside Airbnb Seville currently has 8,033 listings, with the majority (84.9%) being entire homes, followed by private rooms (14.7%) and a small percentage of hotel rooms (0.3%).
- Booking activity: The average number of nights booked per listing is 97, with an average price per night of €180. This shows a robust demand for short-term rentals, with average income per listing estimated at €13,051.
- Short-term rentals: The vast majority (98%) of Seville’s Airbnb listings are short-term rentals, with a focus…
