The Andalusian Federation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (Fahat) has called for the implementation of effective transport alternatives, transparent information and a technical timetable for normalization in the face of the interruption of rail traffic between Madrid and Andalucía following the train accident in Urda (Toledo).
According to what Fahat detailed in a statement, its updated report calculates a drop of 146,000 overnight stays in the Andalusian hotels and tourist accommodations analyzed between November 1 and December 31, 2026. The economic impact linked to that decline in activity amounts to 7.51 million euros, taking as a reference the accommodation revenues that would cease to be generated. "Accessibility and confidence in the connections are key to recovering bookings".
The analysis focuses on November and December and incorporates both the effect of the line cut until a hypothetical reopening on November 23 as well as the subsequent gradual recovery in demand. That date is "a calculation hypothesis, not an announcement of service restoration".
Of that 7.51 million impact, 6.35 million euros are linked to the activity of hotels and 1.16 million to the rest of the tourist accommodations examined.
Beyond accommodation revenues, Fahat warns of the impact on total associated tourist spending, whose decline stands at 12.31 million euros in the same time scenario. This amount includes spending on hotels and tourist accommodations, so it should not be added to the 7.51 million estimated for the establishments.
Uneven impact by Andalusian provinces
For the months of November and December, and under the assumption of reopening on November 23 with a gradual recovery in demand, the expected reduction in overnight stays in the hotels and tourist accommodations included in the study rises to 59,157 in Sevilla, 36,693 in Málaga, 20,668 in Córdoba, 14,114 in Granada, 8,835 in Cádiz, 2,752 in Almería, 1,834 in Huelva and 1,701 in Jaén.
These figures encompass the set of hotels and tourist accommodations analyzed in each province, not only those in their capitals. The differences are due to the weight of each market, the degree of dependence on the affected rail services and the alternative access options considered in the model.
The document places the net loss associated with cancellations at 2.17 million euros, once the portion recovered through new bookings is deducted. This amount is included in the total impact of 7.51 million and should not be added to that figure. "It is a result of the model, not a count of cancellations reported by the establishments". The capacity to resell the cancelled places will therefore be decisive in containing the economic damage.
The report also detects a previous moderation in the pace of growth of demand resident in Spain, with different behaviors between hotels and other tourist accommodations. "This is a slowdown in growth, not a general fall in demand, and it precedes the accident".
Recover demand and confidence after reopening
The eventual reopening of the rail corridor does not imply an automatic recovery of activity: cancellations do not immediately turn into new bookings and uncertainty about connections can postpone trips or divert tourists to other destinations.
For this reason, the study incorporates an additional effect while the booking portfolio is rebuilt and confidence in transport is restored. The model estimates at 640,000 euros the economic repercussion of the possible image and confidence impact on the activity of hotels and tourist accommodations, already included in the 7.51 million. This amount reflects lower accommodation demand, not a loss of value of the Andalucía brand.
Thus, the risk indicated is linked to confidence in connections and to the ease of organizing travel, not to the safety of hotels and tourist accommodations nor to the stay in Andalucía. Consequently, the recovery of bookings and confidence depends on having effective transport solutions and coordinated information.
In this line, Fahat has requested an alternative transport plan with sufficient capacity to absorb travelers, with defined schedules and clear routes. Likewise, it has requested periodic and coordinated information on the progress of the works and the conditions for the restoration of rail service. "The recovery of bookings needs reliable connections that make it possible to organize the trip with confidence". In addition, "information and promotion can contribute to that recovery, but they do not replace transport solutions".
In the same way, "facilitating the arrival of visitors is essential for the activity of hotels and tourist accommodations and for the image of Andalucía as a destination".
La Fahat has expressed its deep sorrow for the victims of the Urda railway accident and has conveyed its condolences to family members and loved ones, as well as its support for the injured and affected people. The sector has likewise thanked the work of the emergency services, medical staff, railway professionals, and all the people who have taken part in attending to the victims.