Hotel establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country registered 190,882 entries by visitors in July 2005, over 15,000 entries more than the same month the year before, which represents a 9% increase, according to Eustat data. Entries by visitors evolved positively in all three provinces, rising sharply in Bizkaia (17%), with more intermediate growth in Gipuzkoa (5%) and developing by a more moderate inter-annual rate in Alava (2%), with regard to the same month the previous year.

Entries by state visitors grew by 8% in July 2005 for the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country, rising 20% in Bizkaia and 4% in Alava, but staying at the same level as the year before in Gipuzkoa (0.0%). The number of foreign visitors increased by 10% in the A.C. of the Basque Country, rising 12% in Guipúzcoa and 11% in Bizkaia, but decreasing their presence in Álava (-3%).

Among state visitors there was an increase in numbers from most of the Autonomous Communities. There were more visitors from Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, Aragón, Asturias, Castile la Mancha, Galicia and Navarre. Numbers fell however, from Cantabria, the Canaries and Valencia. Among foreign visitors, there was a rise in visitors from France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, the UK and Latin America, among others. Numbers fell from Belgium, Italy and the USA-Canada, mainly.

Overnight stays registered in July 2005 came to 373,626, which represents a 10% rise on July the year before, i.e. over 33,000 overnight stays more than in July 2004. Overnight stays also registered a positive inter-annual evolution in all three provinces, obtaining the highest growth in Bizkaia (20%), and evolving more moderately in Gipuzkoa (4%) and Álava (3%).

The length of the average stay grew by 1%, increasing from 1.94 days the year before to 1.96 days last July. This growth occurred in Bizkaia (3%) and Alava (1%), but there was no change in Gipuzkoa (0.0%).

The occupancy level both by places and by rooms increased by 7% in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country. Occupancy by places grew in Bizkaia (14%) and Guipúzcoa (5%), remaining stable in Alava (0.0%).

Agrotourism: Increase in visitors (12%) and overnight stays (13%)

Last July a total of 11,956 visitors were registered in agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country, 12% more than the same month the year before, growing 19% in Alava, 13% in Gipuzkoa and 7% in Bizkaia. State visitors rose in numbers by 10% and foreign visitors registered an inter-annual increase of 22%, in relation to July 2004.

Overnight stays in agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country came to 39,469 in July, which represents 13% growth with regard to the same month the year before, with important inter-annual growth in Gipuzkoa (21%) and Alava (14%), but a slight drop in Bizkaia (-1%).

The average stay per visitor registered a 1% increase, rising from 3.28 days the year before to 3.30 this July, in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country.

The occupancy level by places and rooms rose by 4% for the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country. The increase in both indices affects the provinces of Álava and Gipuzkoa positively, but not so Bizkaia, where the two indices registered negative inter-annual growth.

Table 1: Monthly results

Source: EUSTAT