153,720 visitor entries were registered at hotel establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country in November 2006, almost 18,000 above the same month the year before, which represents a 13% increase according to Eustat data. Visitor entries increased in all three provinces, in Álava by 15% and Bizkaia by 21% and in Gipuzkoa the rise was 3% in relation to the data for November 2005.

The number of state visitors rose by 17% and the number of foreign visitors increased by 1%. State visitors increased in presence in all three provinces; in Álava by 12%, in Bizkaia by 30%, and in Gipuzkoa by 8%. Foreign visitors increased in Álava (34%) and Bizkaia (1%), but fell by 8% in Gipuzkoa.

Among state visitors there was an increase in numbers from Madrid, Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana, Andalusia, and Asturias, mainly, and a drop in numbers from Aragón, the Balearic Isles, Extremadura and La Rioja. Among foreigners numbers rose from Germany, Belgium, Portugal, the USA-Canada and Latin America, among others, while numbers fell from France, Italy and the UK, mainly.

Overnight stays registered in November 2006 came to 280,150, which represents a 13% increase on the month of November the previous year, i.e. almost 32,000 more overnight stays. Overnight stays have had a positive inter-annual evolution in all three provinces of the A.C. of the Basque Country, rising by 16% in Bizkaia, 15% in Álava and 9% in Gipuzkoa.

The length of the average stay remained unchanged over this period for the whole of the A.C. of the Basque Country; it was 1.82 days November last year and November this year.

The level of occupancy by places registered a 1% increase, while the level of occupancy by rooms fell by 3% with regard to November 2005. The level of occupancy by places rose from 41.33% to 41.57%, while the level of occupancy by rooms decreased from 55.02% to 53.41%.

AGROTOURISM

Visitor entries fell (-1%) and overnight stays increased (14%) in November 2006

5.904 visitor entries to agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country were registered in the last month of November, 1% less than in the same month the previous year, rising by 4% in Gipuzkoa, but decreasing by 3% in Bizkaia and 9% in Álava. The decrease experienced by state visitors was 2% in the A.C. of the Basque Country and the number of foreign visitors increased by 29%.

Overnight stays at agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country came to 15,600 in November 2006, which represents a 14% increase with regard to the same month the previous year, with positive inter-annual growth in all three provinces: Álava (6%), Bizkaia (26%) and Gipuzkoa (11%).

The average stay per visitor rose from 2.30 days last year to 2.64 in November this year.

The level of occupancy by places fell two points on its previous inter-annual position and the level of occupancy by rooms remained unchanged with regard to November 2005.

Table 1: Monthly results

Source: EUSTAT