In September, more than 25.6 million hotel nights were recorded in Spain. This is three times (+212.1%) more than in the same month of 2020. The Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) reported these figures on Monday.
The number of nights spent in hotels increased by 48.5% in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2020. This, at a time when the sector is still struggling with the aftermath and consequences of the corona pandemic. On average, hotels earned almost 30% more than last year during this period.
September better than last year, less than two years ago
Almost half of the hotel guests came from Spain: they accounted for 46.1% of the total in September. That is an increase of 84.9% year-on-year. The number of hotel nights booked by foreigners increased by a whopping 657.7%. However, compared to September 2019, when there was no pandemic, hotel nights fell by 31.7%, a decline due solely to the lack of bookings by foreigners (-47.2%). The number of overnight stays by Spaniards increased by 2.4% compared to 2019. Hotels also reached pre-pandemic levels in July and August. On average, a traveller booked 3.1 overnight stays. In the first nine months of the year, hotel stays increased by 48.5% compared to the same period in 2020. Residents of Spain accounted for a 57.4% increase, foreigners booked 38.1% more.
Top destinations
In September, 14,554 hotels were open in Spain, 17.6% more than in the same month of 2020. The Balearic Islands, Andalucia and the Canary Islands were the most popular destinations in September among total Spanish and foreign travellers, with increases of 803.6%, 164.3% and 325.3% respectively. The top destinations for Spanish residents were Andalucia, Catalonia and the Autonomous Community of Valencia. These saw increases of 95.6%, 56.1% and 107.2% respectively.
The most popular destination of non-residents was the Balearic Islands. With 33.6% of the total number of overnight stays, the archipelago experienced an increase of 1,719.4% compared to September 2020. The Balearic Islands were followed by the Canary Islands and Catalonia.
Occupancy rate
In September, 52.2% of the hotel beds on offer were occupied, representing an annual increase of 96.3%. During the weekend, the occupancy rate increased by 77.4%. The Balearic Islands had the highest occupancy rate per bed in September (59.8%), followed by the Canary Islands with 59.5%. In other tourist areas, the province of Gupuzkoa (Basque Country) had the highest average occupancy rate (65.2%) and the highest weekend occupancy rate (77.9%). In Gupuzkoa, the resort of Zarautz had both the highest per-bed occupancy rate (80.5%) and the highest weekend occupancy rate (93.7%).
The island of Mallorca recorded the highest number of overnight stays in September: 3.8 million. The tourist destinations with the most overnight stays were Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.
Germans and British
Travellers from Germany and the UK accounted for 24.3% and 18.5% respectively of the total number of nights spent by non-residents in Spanish hotels in September. The German market showed a growth of 1944.9%, the British market grew by 867.2%. Overnight stays by travellers from France, the Netherlands and Belgium accounted for 10.5%, 7.4% and 5.0% of the total respectively.
Average revenues
The INE data shows that the average daily turnover of hotels per occupied room was €94.10 in September. An increase of 28.6% compared to the same month in 2020. The average daily revenue per available room, which is determined by hotel occupancy rates, reached €56.10, up 150.7%.
