Spanish hotel rates tumble
Spanish hotel rates have fallen by an average of 10% over the past couple of years due to the economic recession, according to a UK-based wholesaler.
JacTravel said its booking data for Spanish cities showed the country was "well and truly on sale".
Speaking ahead of the launch of FITUR, Spain’s travel trade fair, it said wholesale rates had come down across cities and across star ratings, but Madrid had seen the biggest slump of 28%.
Rita Buffa, contract manager in Madrid, said: "If you walk down Gran Via, the main street in Madrid, you can find rates for hotel rooms that are more attractive than I have seen in many years.
"The reason for the decline in hotel rates is the difficult economic situation. Fewer Spaniards are travelling domestically, so there is less demand for accommodation and hotels have had to reduce rates to secure business in a very competitive market."
Madrid has also been affected by high airport taxes and a lack of international promotion, which has prompted some hotels to close, said JacTravel.
Barcelona has been more resilient owing to its strength as a conference and cruise destination, with many notable tourist attractions, better flight connections and relatively low airport taxes.
Mabel Ariu, JacTravel’s Senior contract manager for Barcelona, said:"Barcelona has also drawn strength from its long term strategy of investing in tourism, constantly innovating its offer for tourists and promoting itself abroad. It is now a mature international destination with something for everyone – art, beach, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife, hotels for all budgets and even skiing in the Pyrenees."
Wholesale hotel rates in major cities in Spain, provided by JacTravel
|
City |
Star Rating |
2013 Avg Rate (€) |
|
2012 Avg Rate (€) |
|
% Decrease |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Madrid |
5 |
181 |
|
250 |
|
28% |
|
|
4 |
65 |
|
74 |
|
12% |
|
|
3 |
53 |
|
57 |
|
7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barcelona |
5 |
220 |
|
238 |
|
8% |
|
|
4 |
100 |
|
104 |
|
4% |
|
|
3 |
80 |
|
95 |
|
16% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granada |
4 |
48 |
|
56 |
|
14% |
|
|
3 |
33 |
|
36 |
|
8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seville |
5 |
189 |
|
222 |
|
15% |
|
|
4 |
60 |
|
75 |
|
20% |
|
|
3 |
61 |
|
69 |
|
12% |
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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