August Hotel Figures

a raising of standards

The Benidorm hotels association has just reported a 90% occupancy rate for its rooms in the month of August. This is 4% less than in August 2003 but nevertheless is still a good figure given the whispers of crisis and recession in the Spanish holiday industry.

It's true that the change to the Euro, economic recession in certain countries and competition from cheaper Eastern European destinations have kept some foreign visitors from Benidorm. However what we are seeing in Benidorm is a raising of standards generally - less people are visiting for a 'cheap and cheerful' break in the sunshine - preferring better quality hotels and accommodation.

If proof were needed of this we could point to the increasing numbers of four and five star accommodation now and in the pipeline, and the decrease in the amount of two star establishments over the last few years. So well done Benidorm for keeping visitor numbers up when other resorts are suffering.

5 September 2004 Stephen White.