ALICANTE – The holiday organisations Aptur and Hosbec in the province of Alicante admit that they have had to raise their prices after a year of strong inflation and rising costs.
Cadena SER writes that the prices of holidays in this province with the well-known holiday coast of the Costa Blanca will increase by 5% to 15% in hotels and tourist apartments during 2023.
The first weekend in July marks the start of the holidays for many people. Hotels, tourist condos and campgrounds across the province are reporting occupancies of around 80% to 90% for this month, numbers that will be even better in August.
Holidays more expensive than last year
This year, holidays are more expensive than in 2022. Inflation and rising costs have led to a price increase of 5% to 15% for tourist accommodations. However, those higher prices have not reduced the demand for bookings. The region’s Tourist Apartment Companies Association, APTUR, reports that there has been a 10% to 15% increase over the past two years, depending on the dates and area.
Cost increases are not fully passed on
The chairman, Miguel Ángel Sotillos, explains that “the full costs borne by companies and homeowners have not been reflected in the booking price”. “We’ve had price increases for energy, fuel and supplies of more than 10%,” he said.
On the other hand, the hotel industry in the Valencian region (HOSBEC) indicates that the prices of bookings “must increase” because costs have “risen disproportionately”.
This includes, among others, the cost of labour, which increased by 5.5% in the province of Alicante, the cost of food and drink, which increased by 25%, and energy costs, which, although more moderate than last year, are still significant and especially in the summer.
Their general secretary, Nuria Montes, explains that the average rates are between €160 per room per day in Benidorm and €188 on average in the rest of Costa Blanca. She claims that the price increase varies between 5% and 10% compared to last year, and also admits that not all cost increases have been passed on.
Both unions argue that the increase in accommodation prices will not result in higher profitability for companies in the sector.
