There is pessimism in the hotel sector regarding the prospects for tourism this summer after it was noted that reservations by Spanish tourists are currently down by 30% on last year.
The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) blames the fall on the stagnation of the domestic market. The interior, north of Spain, areas of sun and sand, the Canary Islands and Balearics are all experiencing a fall in reservations.
International tourism, however, is expected to be roughly the same as last year. The Spanish are still expected to travel this summer, but stays will be dramatically shorter due to the current financial situation, impacting significantly on the number of ‘overnight stays’ in hotels, a factor much quoted in relation to success or failure in the hotel world.
Reduced overnight stays will, of course, also impact on the profitability of hotels. Whilst a reduction in income is anticipated, a reduction in the price of accommodation is not.
CEHAT wants to see more innovative ideas being implemented to attract new visitors, such as sports, culture, gastronomy, games and even theme parks. This would, they believe, not only attract new visitors but also repeat business.