Spain: Government and regions accelerate final phase of EU tourism funds

International

Sectoral Conference on Tourism agrees on simplification and faster execution

Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Autonomous Communities have agreed to streamline and speed up the final phase of the execution of European funds aimed at the sustainable transformation of the tourism sector. The agreement was reached within the framework of the Sectoral Conference on Tourism, a coordination body bringing together national and regional authorities.

Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu described the meeting as a milestone in intergovernmental cooperation. “We are aware of the challenge involved in launching the Next Generation funds at a critical moment for tourism due to the pandemic,” said Hereu. “But now that we are at the end of a long road, we can ensure that this adventure has been a success.”

Simplification and extended deadlines

In recent months, the Spanish Government has intensified dialogue with the European Commission to negotiate a simplification of the milestone certification process under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. As a result, deadlines for several programmes have been extended.

For tourism sustainability plans, all projects within the Tourism Sustainability Plans in Destinations (PSTD) programme may now be executed until June 2026. The extension also applies to the Energy Efficiency Programme as well as competitive calls such as Última Milla and the rehabilitation of historic heritage for tourism use.

According to Hereu, the combination of deadline extensions and administrative simplification strengthens the long-term objectives of the programme. “Thanks to these extensions and the simplification of milestone certification, we are making the sector’s triple sustainability a reality,” he stated.

Co-governance as a central pillar

Since 2020, the Ministry and the State Secretariat for Tourism have maintained a continuous co-governance process with the Autonomous Communities. Over this period, seven sectoral conferences have been held to define programme structures and allocation criteria.

Out of the €3.4 billion earmarked for tourism modernisation and competitiveness, €2.166 billion has been transferred to the regions. In parallel, more than 220 bilateral monitoring committees have been conducted to ensure proper distribution and implementation of funds.

Hereu emphasised the collaborative nature of the process. “We are working hand in hand with public policies, competent administrations, private stakeholders and workers,” he said.

Strategic outlook: Tourism Strategy 2030

Beyond fund execution, the conference also addressed broader governance issues. The Ministry presented the Tourism Strategy Spain 2030, approved by the Council of Ministers in late 2025. Regional authorities were acknowledged for their active involvement in shaping the roadmap.

Connectivity and transport infrastructure were likewise highlighted as essential components of destination development and visitor mobility.

Digital platforms and regulatory framework

Participants reviewed progress on key digital initiatives, including the Smart Destinations Platform (PID) and the Open Innovation Platform (PIA). Discussions also covered the implications of Royal Decree 1312/2024, which introduced a single registry and digital one-stop shop for rentals.

The meeting concluded with an assessment of national government measures affecting territorial tourism development, underlining the continued emphasis on coordination and policy alignment.