When interpreting the results it should be born in mind that homogenous information is not available to measure the inter-annual evolution of visitor entries and overnight stays, as Easter in 2002 took place in March and this year in April, so that only a descriptive evolution is given of the inter-annual results for March.

121.163 entries were registered in hotel establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country in March 2003, according to Eustat data, 7% less than the same month the previous year, which represents an inter-annual decrease of 8,500 entries. The incidence of visitor entries varied in the three provinces. In Bizkaia, despite the aforementioned Easter date, figures remained stable (0%), in Alava there was a 5% drop, while in Gipuzkoa there was a sharper drop of 13%.

The number of visitors from the State fell 5% for the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country while the number of foreign visitors fell 11%. State visitors increased in Bizkaia by 6% and fell in Alava (-6%) and Gipuzkoa (-15%). The number of foreign visitors fell in all three provinces: Alava (-3%), Bizkaia (-17%) and Gipuzkoa (-6%).

The number of overnight stays registered in March 2003 came to 214,992, i.e. almost 39,000 fewer than the same month the year before, which represents a 12% reduction. Overnight stays also fell in all three provinces although to differing degrees, as in Bizkaia there was a 5% fall, while in Alava and Gipuzkoa the decrease was sharper, with -16% and -17%, respectively.

The length of the average stay by visitors fell from 1.88 days in March the previous year to 1.77 last March, and this decrease affected all three provinces. The level of occupancy by places fell from 46.57% in March 2002 to 39.30% in March this year.

Agrotourism: 20% all in visitor entries and 36% drop in overnight stays.

6,154 entries were registered by visitors in agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country, 20% less than the same month the year before, falling 33% in Alava, 26% in Bizkaia and 10% in Gipuzkoa. The decrease in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country applies both to state (-21%) and foreign visitors (-10%).

The number of overnight stays in the agrotourism sector came to 11,393, 36% fewer than in March 2002, with sharp decreases in all three provinces: 51% in Alava, 43% in Bizkaia and 24% in Gipuzkoa.

The average stay per visitor fell from 2.31 days in March the previous year to 1.85 days registered in March this year, which represents a 20% percentage decrease. The level of occupancy by places fell in the same way by 40%.

Once again it must be stated that the inter-annual comparison is distorted due to the fact that Easter 2002 was held in March.