138.647 visitors were registered in the hotel establishments of the A.C. of the Basque Country in February 2008, 18,000 more than in the same month of last year, meaning a 15% increase, according to Eustat data. The number of visitors increased by 17% in Gipuzkoa, by 15% in Bizkaia and by 8% in Álava.

The number of visitors from within the state grew by 12% and the number of foreigners by 22%. The amount of visitors from within the state increased in all three provinces. In Gipuzkoa they increased by 18%, in Álava they did so by 11% and in Bizkaia the rise was 9%. Overseas visitors increased by 33% in Bizkaia and 16% in Gipuzkoa, but decreased by 3% in Álava.

Among visitors from within the state a rise was registered for those coming from the Community of Valencia, Catalonia, Madrid and Andalucía, mainly. There was a fall for those coming from Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Castile and León, Galicia and Murcia. Among foreigners, those from France, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Holland, among others, rose in number and those coming from Ireland, Finland, Greece and Japan, among others, fell.

Overnight stays registered in February 2008 came to 249,910, representing a 14% increase in relation to February of last year, which is to say over 31,000 more overnight stays. Inter-annual evolution of overnight stays was positive in all three provinces: in Álava they increased by 11%, in Bizkaia they did so by 15% and in Gipuzkoa there was a 14% rise.

The average length of stay, for the A.C. of the Basque Country as a whole, went from 1.81 days last year to 1.80 this February. This index decreased in Gipuzkoa (-3%) and increased in Álava and Bizkaia (3% and 1%, respectively), although Gipuzkoa, with 1.85 days, retained the highest rate. Álava attained 1.76 days average stay and Bizkaia 1.78.

The occupancy rate by place experienced an 8% increase, going from 36.11% last February to 38.83% this year. It could be seen that this rise affected all three provinces: in Álava and Bizkaia there was a 9% increase, in both cases, (coming to 38.03% and 39.34% respectively) and in Gipuzkoa the rise was 5%, coming to 38.5%.

Agrotourism: The number of visitors and overnight stays increased by 20%

6,691 visitors were registered in the agrotourism establishments of the A.C. of the Basque Country in February, 20% more than in the same month of last year, increasing by 31% in Álava, 22% in Gipuzkoa and by 7% in Bizkaia. The increase seen among visitors from within the state was 13% in the A.C. of the Basque Country: they rose by 27% in Álava and by 16% in Gipuzkoa, but in Bizkaia fell by 3%. The number of overseas visitors increased by 181% in the A.C. of the Basque Country as a whole, a drastic rise in percentage terms. In Gipuzkoa they increased by 192%, in Álava by 184% and in Bizkaia by 170%.

There were 15,147 overnight stays in the agrotourism establishments of the A.C. of the Basque Country in February, meaning a 20% increase compared to the same month last year, with positive inter-annual growth rates, especially in Álava and Gipuzkoa (46% and 21% respectively), with more modest results recorded in Bizkaia (1%).

The average stay per visitor remained virtually unchanged for the A.C. of the Basque Country as regards February 2007, going from 2.27 days a year previously to 2.26 this February. This index improved in Álava (12%) which had an average of 2.20 days, worsened in Bizkaia (-6%) coming to 2.44 days and remained practically unchanged in Gipuzkoa (2.21 days).

The occupancy rate by place registered a 12% increase, rising to 16.58%, as a result of the increases seen in Álava (26%) and Gipuzkoa (17%), while in Bizkaia there was a 5% decrease. Álava obtained an occupancy rate of 19.72%, Bizkaia one of 13.58% and Gipuzkoa one of 17.34%.

Table 1: Monthly Results

Source: EUSTAT