The Valencian Community reaches 85 percent of average occupancy during this Holy Week, although coastal municipalities such as Altea (Alicante) have given the "bell bell" and with more than 92% of their hotel capacity reserved. All this, accompanied by a "spectacular" spring weather, allows for a first "positive" assessment.
This has been indicated, in statements to Europa Press Television, by the president of the Hotel Business Association of Benidorm and the Costa Blanca (Hosbec), Fede Fuster, who has pointed out that, despite the fact that in this year's campaign "it has taken a lot to sell at the last minute", occupancy is above 85%, with the notable exception of Altea, in a situation of "technical full".
In this line, he has highlighted that "all the tourist indices" in the Valencian Community are "very good" and, in fact, large cities such as Valencia, Benicàssim, Peníscola or Castelló, border on and in some cases exceed 90% occupancy. "Time accompanies and it is noticing," he assured.
However, Fuster has indicated that the data is slightly below that of 2019, the last "normal year" before the pandemic -- "last year we were still dragging omicron, international flights had not recovered and there was a lot of hotel closed"--.
A situation that has been attributed above all to the British market, between 7 and 8% below the usual, due to its economic situation, "even more serious" than in other countries due to inflation and the increase in costs. "Today Benidorm would be at 91 or 92% with all the power of the UK market", he exemplified. In any case, he has stated that the sector hopes that the situation in this market will recover "soon" and that with a view to the summer campaign it can function "normally".
The president of Hosbec has highlighted that, despite this, at Easter the national market is "the one in charge" thanks to a tourist who "repeats delightedly". "It's been about 10 days since we've seen the figures and we haven't been wrong, they are good figures and, although we always want more and better, we can't complain," he stated.
At this point, he celebrated that since the beginning of this year the sector is "returning to traction", something that is "positive not only for tourism, but also for others" due to its "so transversal" nature. "That we work is great news, because we do not stop being a locomotive on a train that has many more wagons," he stressed.
Facing the summer campaign, Fuster has advanced that the tourism sector expects "normal" figures despite the fact that costs, he has warned, "have skyrocketed" by around 30% since a year ago, something that "worries ". "Obviously, we cannot transfer all these costs to our prices, it is impossible, but we have had to transfer a small part, although there has not been a change in the sale price compared to last year," she explained.
In this regard, he has emphasized that the Valencian Community once again is a "super competitive" destination at the national level, with an "unbeatable" value for money in Spain.
Precisely, several tourists who were in Benidorm this Thursday pointed in this direction, in statements to Europa Press Television. One of them, from Segovia, highlighted that the city is "great" and "wonderful" due to its temperatures. "This is the New York City of Spain", he has joked himself.
"With these temperatures in Segovia we go with coats and here, on the other hand, look how we are doing. This is unique, wonderful. Not coming to Benidorm is like going to the United States and not going to Manhattan, it is the number one beach in Spain ", has highlighted this tourist, who has also highlighted "the good weather, the hotels, the people and the not very expensive prices". "In Spain we are unique", he added.
Another visitor assures that Benidorm is "ideal" to enjoy its beach, take a walk, "have a drink" and, all this, with "a lot of people". "We come to have a great time, it's like a tradition, you have to go to Benidorm because if it doesn't look like you're not on vacation", she has assured her.
"You just have to see the atmosphere, it's wonderful. There is good food, restaurants, lots of fun, and for this reason I recommend everyone to come as soon as possible, here you have everything to enjoy," says another tourist.
For their part, two visitors from Vilavella (Castellón) who are visiting Benidorm this Easter thanks to Imserso have highlighted the "great atmosphere" of the capital of the Costa Blanca: "Every year we come. When you go out, you always see people We like to come here for the atmosphere, it's wonderful, everyone taking a bath, then we'll go to see a procession and at night to enjoy a dance show."
Finally, a tourist from La Rioja is "very happy" to visit Benidorm like "every year", while he is "looking forward to bathing on the beach". "The people here are wonderful, this is full any month of the year, there is everything here and for all ages, there is a party for everyone," he said.
