According to Eustat data hotels in the A.C. of the Basque Country registered 175,555 visitors during July 2004, more than 11,000 higher than July last year, representing an increase of 7%. There were increases in the number of visitors to all three provinces: Bizkaia (19%), Alava (2%) and Gipuzkoa (1%), in comparison to the data from July 2003.

Domestic visits rose by 10%, while the number of visitors from abroad increased by 3%. Both domestic and foreign visitors were more common in Bizkaia (16% and 23%, respectively) and in Alava (1% and 5%, respectively) while in Gipuzkoa the number of visitors from within the Spanish state increased (8%) and visits from foreigners fell (-11%).

A closer look at visitors from within the Spanish state reveals an increase in the number from Catalonia, Andalusia, the Community of Valencia, Galicia and the Canary Islands, among others and a drop in visitors principally from Madrid and from within the A. C. of the Basque Country itself. Among the foreigners there was an increase in the number from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and Ireland, among others, with a fall in the number from the USA, Canada, Portugal, Sweden and Japan.

The number of overnight stays registered in July 2004 rose to 340,108, representing an increase of 10% on July last year, that is 32,000 more overnight stays. Overnight stays registered positive inter-annual changes in all three provinces in the A. C. of Euskadi, rising by 12% in Bizkaia, 11% in Gipuzkoa and 7% in Alava.

In inter-annual terms the average length of stay underwent an increase in July for the whole of the A. C. of Euskadi, rising from 1.88 to 1.94 days (+3%). This index rose in Gipuzkoa (10%) and Alava (5%) but fell in Bizkaia (-6%).

Occupancy levels increased by 6% from 52.01% in July last year to 55.26% in July 2004. The occupancy rate for rooms also improved by 5% throughout the A. C. of the Basque Country, rising from 5.31% to 62.08%.

Number of visitors (12%) and overnight stays (17%) both increased

In July 2004 Agrotourism establishments in the A. C. of Euskadi received 10,699 visitors, 12% more than the same month last year, rising by 17% in Bizkaia, 11% in Alava and by 9% in Gipuzkoa. The increase in domestic visitors from the Spanish state was 11% in the A. C. of Euskadi, with increases in the three provinces: 19% in Bizkaia, 13% in Alava and 6% in Gipuzkoa. Foreigners increased their presence by 20% in the A.C. of Euskadi as a whole, rising in Gipuzkoa (37%) and in Bizkaia (7%) but dropping moderately in Alava (-2%).

Overnight stays in the Agrotourism establishments in the A. C. of Euskadi numbered 35, in July, an increase of 17% on July last year, with positive inter-annual growth rates in the three provinces: Bizkaia 34%, Gipuzkoa 10% and Alava 6%.

The average stay for visitors rose from 3.14 days from a year ago to 3.28 in July this year, increasing in Bizkaia (14%) and in Gipuzkoa (1%) but falling in Alava (-5%).

Occupancy levels registered an increase of10% for the A. C. of the Basque Country as a whole. A provincial breakdown reveals increases in Bizkaia (33%) and in Gipuzkoa (7%) but a drop in Alava (-13%).

Table 1: Monthly results

Source: EUSTAT