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ARCHIVED - International tourists account for almost 60 per cent of hotel reservations on the Costa Blanca
The Valencia region's hospitality sector predicts a "return to pre-pandemic" levels by spring
Hotel occupancy on the Costa Blanca reached 50% between January 17 and 23 with 58.3% of reservations made by international tourists, more than a third of which were British. Now, the Valencia region's hotel employers' association, Hosbec, predicts an even "more favourable" February.
"In the worst circumstances and working with a significant percentage of hotel rooms closed, hotel occupancy is again around 50% for Benidorm and the Costa Blanca, 60% in Castellón and 30% in the city of Valencia," said association president Toni Mayor.
In Benidorm, where 40 Hosbec-associated hotels are open, 60% of the current tourist activity is of European/international origin and 55% on the Costa Blanca as a whole.
See also: 50 per cent of Costa Blanca summer package holidays already sold by British tour operators
"These levels mean that there is a tourism market that can withstand all kinds of adversity and consolidates the strength of the tourist destinations in the Valencia Region. The most interesting thing is that the sector is preparing for recovery and upcoming festivities and events, such as Benidorm Fest, can only have a positive influence on hotel occupancy."
Mayor also predicts that from February 11, when UK travel restrictions are eased, "the increase in British tourists will allow the region to reach levels close to pre-pandemic levels by the spring", and confirmed that more hotels are expected to reopen over the next few weeks.
"However, to achieve this, its essential that within the European Union there is a harmonised and stable framework for the validity of Covid certificates and without any restrictions in the form of diagnostic tests, quarantines or additional vaccination doses," added Hosbec
This has not happened yet, though, as the whole Valencia region is bucking the national trend and will apply for a second extension to the Covid passport rules for a further two to four weeks.
Britain maintained its position as the main international market on the Costa Blanca accounting for 37.7% of the total occupancy between January 17 and 25, followed by Belgium and France, with 9.3% and 6.5% respectively.
The forecast for January 24 to 30 is 48.7% occupancy, although this figure could rise with last-minute reservations.
Also of interest: How to book a Covid vaccine in Spain and How to get a Covid passport in Spain
Image: Visit Benidorm
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