Hotel establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country registered 152,382 visitor entries in March 2006, i.e. almost 9,000 more than in the same month the year before, which represents a 6% increase, according to Eustat data. Visitor entries increased in the provinces of Bizkaia (16%) and Álava (1%), but not in Gipuzkoa, where there was a 4% decrease.

Entries by state visitors increased by 6% and the number of foreign visitors grew by 7%. State visitors increased in presence in Bizkaia (17%) and Álava (3%), decreasing in Gipuzkoa (-6%). On the other hand, foreign visitors increased in number mainly in Bizkaia (14%) and, more moderately in Gipuzkoa (3%), but falling in number in Álava (-7%).

Among state visitors there was an increase in numbers from Madrid, Castile and León, Andalusia, Asturias and Cantabria, mainly. Numbers dropped from Catalonia, Galicia, Aragón and Castile la Mancha, among others. There was an increase in foreigners from France, Italy, Portugal and Latin America, while numbers fell from Germany, Belgium, the UK and the USA-Canada, among others.

Overnight stays registered in March 2006 came to 282,477, which represents a 5% increase on March last year, i.e. 12,000 more overnight stays. The inter-annual rate of overnight stays evolved more positively only in Bizkaia (14%), while in Álava and Gipuzkoa there were also decreases of 7% and 2%, respectively.

The average length of stay fell from 1.88 days the year before to 1.85 days per average visitor last March for the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country. This index rose in Gipuzkoa (from 1.90 days in March last year to1.95 days this last month of March) and fell in Alava (from1.84 days to 1.70) and Bizkaia (1.87 days last year to 1.84 days last March).

The level of occupancy by places decreased slightly by 3%, falling from 43.90% last March to 42.60% this March this year. This contraction affects all three provinces. The level of occupancy by rooms, however, registered 4% growth, rising from 53.79% to 55.80% in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country, this positive evolution also affecting Gipuzkoa (6%) and Bizkaia (5%), but not Álava, where the index fell by 5%.

Agrotourism: Decrease in visitor entries (-10%) and overnight stays

(-28%)

7,518 visitors entries were registered last March in agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country, 10% less than the same month the year before, specifically falling 25% in Álava and 26% in Bizkaia, while the only increase, 8%, corresponded to Gipuzkoa. The decrease in state visitors was 13% in the A.C. of the Basque Country, while foreign visitors staying at agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country increased in number by 60%.

Overnight stays at agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country came to 16,253 in March, which represents a 28% decrease with regard to the same month the year before, with negative evolution rates in the three provinces: Álava (-40%), Bizkaia (-30%) and Gipuzkoa (-23%).

The average stay per visitor fell in the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country with regard to March 2005, falling from 2.71 days a year before to 2.16 this last month of March. This indicator fell in the three provinces: Álava (-20%); Bizkaia (-6%) and Gipuzkoa (-28%).

The level of occupancy by places registered a 36% decrease and the level of occupancy by rooms fell by 27% with regard to the positions in March 2005, in all three provinces of the A.C. of the Basque Country.

Note: When interpreting the comparison of these inter-annual data we should remember, among other factors, that Holy Week 2005 coincided mainly in the month of March, while this year it has taken place in April.

Source: EUSTAT