The hotel establishments of the A.C. of the Basque Country registered 217,858 visitors in July 2007, 4,200 more than in the same month of last year, meaning a 2% rise, according to Eustat data. This increase centred itself on Bizkaia, where the number of visitors rose by 8%, whereas there were decreases of 8% in Álava and 1% in Gipuzkoa.

Overall, the number of visitors from within the state showed a negative variation of 6% as regards July 2006, but the number of visitors from abroad grew by 18%. The number of visitors from within the state showed a negative variation of 15% in Álava and 8% in Gipuzkoa, but remained unchanged in the province of Bizkaia (0.0%). The number of overseas visitors increased in all three provinces: 14% in Álava, 23% in Bizkaia and 13% in Gipuzkoa.

Among visitors from within the state a decrease was registered, especially for those coming from Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid and The Community of Valencia. On the other hand, there was an increase in the number of visitors from the Balearic Islands and Asturias. Among foreigners, there was an increase for those coming from practically all countries, but especially visitors from France the United Kingdom, USA-Canada, Germany, Belgium and Latin America.

Overnight stays registered in July 2007 came to 427,771, meaning a 4% rise compared to July of last year, which is to say 15,000 more overnight stays. The number of overnight stays showed positive inter-annual evolution in Bizkaia (10%), remained unchanged in Gipuzkoa (0.0%), and fell by 4% in Álava.

The average length of stay for the A.C. of the Basque Country as a whole increased by two percentage points, going from 1.93 days in July lat year to 1.96 this July. In Álava this figure showed a positive variation of 4%, coming to 1.75 days; in Gipuzkoa it rose by 2%, going from 2.16 to 2.20 days, while in Bizkaia it increased by 1%, coming to an average of 1.83 days.

The degree of occupancy by places underwent a 5% decrease, going from 59.84% last July to 57% this July. The degree of occupancy by rooms fell by1%, coming to 66.43%. Both rates fell in Gipuzkoa, even though they remained above average, with 66.09% in degree of occupancy by places and 77.16% by rooms. In Bizkaia, the degree of occupancy by places remained steady (52.34%) and increased by rooms, whereas in Álava the occupancy rate by places reduced by 8%, coming to 48.14%, although the degree of occupancy by rooms rose by 3% (58.20%).

Agrotourism: There was a fall in the number of visitors (-12%) and overnight stays (-6%)

The agrotourism establishments in the A.C. of the Basque Country registered 11,903 visitors in July, 12% less than in the same month of last year. This decrease was a general one, extending to all three provinces, falling 11% in Álava, 10% in Bizkaia and 13% in Gipuzkoa. This diminished influx of visitors was caused by the decrease in the number of visitors from within the state, which fell by 14% in the A.C. of the Basque Country, decreasing 6% in Álava, 12% in Bizkaia and 18% in Gipuzkoa. The number of foreign tourists increased by 4% in the A.C. of the Basque Country as a whole, despite the fall in Álava (-50%), growing by 19% in Gipuzkoa, while remaining unchanged in Bizkaia (0.0%).

The number of overnight stays in the agrotourism establishments of the A.C. of the Basque Country came to 43,311 this July, meaning a decrease of 6% with regard to the same month of last year, with a positive growth rate in the province of Álava (7%), but negative ones in Bizkaia (-5%) and Gipuzkoa (-9%).

The average length of stay per visitor increased in the A.C. of the Basque Country as a whole compared to July 2006, going from 3.43 a year ago to 3.64 days this July.

The degree of occupancy by places fell by 20% in the A.C. of the Basque Country, due to the negative results seen in all three provinces, which stood at 40.38%. The degree of occupancy by rooms fell by 14%, as a result of the decrease, which was also experienced in all three provinces.

Source: EUSTAT