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The queues outside the travel agencies, across Spain, started early. In some cities, retirees were already lined up by 7.45am, letter from the Ministry in hand, waiting for bookings to open at 9am. By 9.30am, it was already too late for some of the most popular destinations. "There are no spots left, and it's 9.30am," said Pedro Martínez, a retiree from Albacete, who was far from the only one who had got up early.

 

This is the same scheme that went on sale in mid September, when 879,213 places were released across the country and bookings were staggered by region from Monday September 14. 

 

The speed of the sell out is what stands out this year. Demand has always outstripped supply, but with more than four million accredited travellers now chasing roughly the same number of places as before, the most sought after destinations are vanishing almost instantly. The 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons offered 886,269 places, and that has since slipped to 879,213.

 

The national total only tells part of the story, because a room in one part of Spain isn't the same as a room in Benidorm or on the islands. Eduard Farriol, who heads the Imserso commission at the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, says there is "increasingly less supply where there is demand."

 

His figures are striking. Benidorm had 43 hotels working with the scheme in 2019, and now has just 16. In Mallorca, only eight of around 800 hotels affiliated with the island's hotel association still take part, while on the Costa del Sol fewer than five remain. In the Canary Islands, 36 hotel and non-hotel establishments are participating.

 

Hotels receive between €24.50 and €29 per person per day, with full board included. Industry groups put the break-even point at around €35. As one hotelier put it, "we all know what a meal costs these days," before listing electricity, food, laundry and staff. "At these prices, a four-star hotel, with the services it offers, simply can't make ends meet."

 

Meanwhile, the wider market has moved on. In August, average revenue per occupied room in Spain reached €166.9, up 7.3% on last year, and the Balearic Islands topped €230 with occupancy above 90%. Winter no longer means empty hotels in some resorts either, so the scheme has become less of a lifeline for the quieter months.

 

Farriol says the programme's prices have barely budged, with increases capped at 3% and some years seeing none. "I don't want to make a profit, but don't make me lose money," he said. Valencian hoteliers at Hosbec are calling for at least €35 plus VAT.

 

It's a curious paradox. Never have so many pensioners wanted to travel, yet in the most popular destinations, fewer hotels are willing to welcome them. "If things continue this way, there will be fewer and fewer rooms available where there is demand," Farriol warned.

 

 

Image: Taha Samet Arslan-Pexels