Press Release 22/09/2009

SURVEY ON TOURIST ESTABLISHMENTS (EETR ) AUGUST 2009

Number of visitors rose by 2% in August 2009

Overnight stays increased by 5% in August

There were 225,929 visitors registered in the hotel establishments of the Basque Country in August 2009, 4,000 up on the same month of the previous year, in other words a 2% increase, according to Eustat data. The number of visitors increased by 5% in Álava and 3% in Gipuzkoa, but remained steady in Bizkaia (0%), compared to the same month of 2008.

The number of visitors from within Spain was up by 10%, while the number of overseas visitors fell by 9% compared to the same month of the previous year. The number of Spanish visitors increased in the three provinces: by 9% in Álava, 14% in Bizkaia and 7% in Gipuzkoa. However, the number of foreign visitors remained steady in Álava (0%), but fell in Bizkaia (-14%) and in Gipuzkoa (-3%).

There was practically an overall increase in numbers in terms of the visitors from within Spain, although the greatest increase was in those from Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, Comunidad Valenciana and Cantabria. In terms of foreign visitors, the fall in numbers was also generalised, particularly in those from Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, while the visitors from South and Central America, USA-Canada, Belgium and Japan rose in number.

Registered overnight stays in August 2009 totalled 484,696, which was 5% up on the same month of the previous year, in other words, there were 22,000 more overnight stays. The year-on-year byformance of overnight stays was positive in the three provinces: they were up by 9% in Álava, 3% in Bizkaia and 5% in Gipuzkoa.

The duration of the average stay rose from 2.09 days in August last year to 2.15 this year for the Basque Country as a whole. It rose by 3% in Álava and in Bizkaia and by 2% in Gipuzkoa. Thus, the average stay in Álava in August 2009 was 1.89 days, 2.02 days in Bizkaia, while it was 2.36 days in Gipuzkoa.

The occupancy rate by bed remained steady, falling from 61.59% last August to 61.44% this August, for the Basque Country as a whole. Álava fell by 2% to a 45.6% occupancy rate, Bizkaia was down by 1% to an occupancy rate of 57.78% and the rate in Gipuzkoa increased by 1% and had the highest occupancy rate by bed at 72.93%. The occupancy rate by room remained practically unaltered for the Basque Country as a whole.

Rural tourism: The number of visitors increased (5%) and overnight stays remained steady (0%).

There were 15,716 visitors registered in August in rural tourism establishments in the Basque Country, 5% more than in the same month of the previous year. However, the byformance of the three provinces was not uniform. The number of visitors fell by 14% in Álava, but increased by 13% in Bizkaia and 4% in Gipuzkoa. Both visitors from within Spain and from abroad increased in number, with growth of 3% and 11%, respectively, registered for the Autonomous Community as a whole. The two categories fell in Álava, with the number of visitors from within Spain falling by 13% and those from abroad by 20%. Both the Spanish and foreign visitors increased in number in Bizkaia (15 and 7% respectively), in the same way as in Gipuzkoa (1 and 25%, respectively).

There were 69,800 overnight stays in rural tourism establishments in the Basque Country in August, which practically remained unchanged compared to the same month of the previous year (0%), with year-on-year negative growth being recorded in Álava (-3%) , positive in Bizkaia (4%), while it was negative in Gipuzkoa (-2%).

The average length of stay by visitor in the Basque Country overall decreased with respect to August 2008, falling from 4.65 days a year ago to 4.44 days this August. The average stay improved in Alava and worsened in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa.

The occupancy rate by bed was 58.9%, which was down 8% on the same byiod of the previous year. This drop was seen in the three provinces, with decreases of 14% being recorded in Alava, 9% in Gipuzkoa and 4% in Bizkaia. The occupancy rate by rooms also fell by 7% in the Basque Country as a whole.

 

Table 1: Monthly Results

For further information:

Basque Statistics Office C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz Tel.: +34-945-01 75 00 Fax: +34-945-01 75 01 E-mail: eustat@eustat.es Contact: Nerea Linaza Diarce Tlf:+34-945-01 75 05 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 Online press releases: www.eustat.es Databank: www.eustat.eus/bancopx/english/indice.aspx