Hotel establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country registered 125,651 entries by visitors in November 2003, according to Eustat data. These figures reflect a 7% increase in relation to the same month the previous year, i.e. over 8,000 entries more. Entries by visitors had a positive evolution in all three provinces, increasing in Gipuzkoa (11%), in Alava (9%) and in Bizkaia (3%).

Entries by state visitors grew by 4% in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country and entries by foreign visitors increased by 18%. State visitors increased in presence in the provinces of Alava (12%) and Gipuzkoa (5%), falling in Bizkaia (-1%). The number of foreign visitors varied according to the province: rising in Gipuzkoa (32%) and Bizkaia (13%), while falling in Alava (-5%).

Among state visitors there was in increase in numbers from all the Communities, with the exception of Catalonia, C. Valenciana and the Canaries, the most significant group in numbers being from Madrid, Castile and León and Andalusia. Among foreigners, numbers rose from France, Italy, Portugal, the UK and the USA-Canada, but fell, however, for Germany, Ireland, Austria and Belgium.

Overnight stays registered in November 2003 came to 226,797, which represents a 1% decrease on November the year before, i.e. 2,000 fewer. Overnight stays had a quite varied inter-annual evolution in the three provinces, with a sharp 13% increase in Alava, 1% in Gipuzkoa and an 8% fall in Bizkaia.

The length of average stay fell from 1.95 days the year before to 1.80 this month for the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country. The provincial distribution reflects differing performances: an improvement in Alava, from 1.69 to 1.75 days, and a drop in Bizkaia, from 2.00 days before to 1.79 at present and in Gipuzkoa, which fell from 2.03 days to 1.84.

The level of occupancy by places fell 8% due to the fall in the provinces of Bizkaia (-15%) and Gipuzkoa (-7%), as there was a 9% increase in Alava.

Agrotourism: Increase in entries by visitors (9%) and drop in overnight stays (-3%)

5,827 entries by visitors were registered in November in agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country, 9% more than the same month the year before, rising 9% in Alava, 11% in Gipuzkoa and 6% in Bizkaia. The increase registered by state visitors was 7%, foreigners having increased in presence by 71%, thus affecting the growth of the provinces in percentage terms.

Overnight stays carried out at agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country came to 11,865 in November, which represents a 3% fall in relation to the same month the year before, with negative inter-annual growth rates in Alava (-3%) and Gipuzkoa (-10%), but positive in Bizkaia (8%).

The length of average stay per visitor registered an eleven percent fall in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country with regard to November 2002, and dropped from 2.28 days a year before to 2.04 this year, this decrease affecting the provinces of Alava (-11%) and Gipuzkoa (-19%).

The level of occupancy by places fell 9%, as a result of the decrease suffered by the average length of stay by visitors lodged at agrotourism establishments in Alava, Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia.