Over 1.9 million overnight stays between January and June – an increase of 3% compared to 2014, due to the 8% upturn in domestic tourism and the high performance of international markets. Valencia registered the best first half-year in its history in tourism. This is clear from the figures in the survey by Valencia Tourism Foundation, contrasted with data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), which place overnight stays between January and June at 1,915,240, an increase of 3%.
The number of travelers is also positive as 931,265 people came to Valencia in this period, 1.5% more than last year. If this trend continues, Valencia is expected to finish the year with over 1.9 million travelers and 4.14 million overnight stays.
The survey, which also breaks down the figures by market, reveals that the international community maintain their interest in the city, with 1,037,691 overnight stays – representing about 60% of the total. In European markets, notable results are as follows:
· Netherlands, with 112,900 overnight stays, a 22% increase;
· Germany, with 95,600 and 12%;
· UK, with 91,100 and 11%;
· Italy, with 190,000 overnight stays.
With respect to intercontinental countries, China delivered more than 17,400 overnight stays and an increase of 8%, making it the best performing market intercontinental this period; while the US still sends the most tourists with 60,000 overnight stays.
Meanwhile, domestic tourism thrives in Valencia after its stagnation in recent years. With more than 877,500 overnight stays and an 8% cumulative increase, domestic demand seems to have finally revived in the city.
Notably, there is a significantly improved economic return. The average price has increased from 63.6 euros in January-June 2014 to 65.6 euros in the same period this year, up 3%. This, together with improved employment, has led the RevPAR to show an increase of 5.1%.
The average stay stood at 2.05 nights and Tourist Accommodation Occupancy grew 1.5% to 62%.
The first data of the summer tourist season points to a significant improvement in occupancy in the city this summer. Since June, the first month of the season, recorded a 2.2% increase in overnight stays and 2.7% in travelers.
Thus, the estimate of the Valencia Tourism Foundation average occupancy for the months of July and August, will be between 75% and 85%, representing an increase of 5% over last summer.
