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GAIN IN SPAIN

Spanish holiday spots away from the coast are practically deserted – with bargain breaks in places like Madrid for £99

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BARGAIN breaks in Spain can be snapped up right now as inland destinations have been left deserted by tourists dead-set on heading to the beaches.

Brits have returned in their droves to Malaga and Ibiza after travel restrictions to Spain were lifted last month.

Madrid remains deserted as returning tourists head to beach resorts
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Madrid remains deserted as returning tourists head to beach resortsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

However, as families seek sea and sand for their holiday, inland destinations are struggling - with hotels in some cities just 25 per cent occupied.

Seville remains a ghost town with hotel occupancy across Andalusia an - ten per cent lower than the hotels along the coast in cities such as Malaga.

Madrid has also been deserted, with the tourists who visit for designer shops conspicuously absent.

José Luis Zoreda, the vice-president of the tourism lobby Exceltur, that they have particularly felt the loss of Latin American tourists: "Although Madrid is not their final destination, it is a transit spot that always benefits [from passing visitors]."

One bar owner in Madrid, who said he was the only one working as all 10 employees remain on a furlough scheme, added: "Everything’s dead."

Hotels and restaurants are still struggling as tourism fails to return
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Hotels and restaurants are still struggling as tourism fails to returnCredit: EPA
Granada is one of the cities that was once popular with tourists during the summer months
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Granada is one of the cities that was once popular with tourists during the summer monthsCredit: Alamy Live News
Now, streets and hotels see limited visitors with occupancy on some regions just 25 per cent
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Now, streets and hotels see limited visitors with occupancy on some regions just 25 per centCredit: EPA

Murcia and Granada, other popular cities, are also suffering from a lack of tourists, according to Spain’s national hotel association, with revenue at restaurants and bars in the city centre dropping by more than 50 per cent.

This does mean that there are some great deals to be had as they attempt to lure back tourists - Ryanair is selling cheap flights to Spain including to Seville for just £9.99 each way.

Here are some bargain package holidays to take advantage of this summer:

  • Seven nights in Seville with return flights from London Luton on August 27 -
  • Two nights in a five-star hotel in Seville with return flights from London Luton on August 4 -
  • Seven nights in Madrid with return flights from London Heathrow on July 28 -
  • Two nights in a four-star hotel in Madrid with return flights from London Stansted on August 19 -
  • Two night in a four-star hotel in Granada with return flights from London Luton on August 31 -
  • Three nights in a four-star hotel in Murcia with return flights from London Stansted on August 13 -

Brits can also expect some changes at their holiday resorts - with face masks now mandatory in Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and Costa del Sol.

Beaches are also being forced to turn tourists away as they limit capacity on the daily number of visitors.

Others have enforced sunbathing zones which keep families apart and allow social distancing.

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