At the gates of the first Constitution Bridge, without restrictions, after two years too complicated for entertainment and travel, hotels, restaurants and transportation optimistic about holidays that could exceed pre-pandemic bills. Only 24 hours after Operation Exit, the pumps offer lower prices than those registered through 2022. Those who choose to drive their personal car are lucky: the price of a liter of gasoline dropped 2% in a week. Airlines are also close to pre-pandemic figures, keeping their scheduled flights just 2.4% below 2019. Hotel bookings, on the other hand, retain only three points of the volume recorded in 2019 and exceed 2021 figures. figures for these dates after a 2021 marked by the micron explosion.
Falling fuel prices is no surprise. It has chained several declines in recent weeks due to fluctuations in international prices. According to the European Union Petroleum Bulletin, In a week, the liter price of gasoline decreased by 2 percent to 1.70 Euros., the average diesel price decreased by 2.93% to 1,821 euros. As such, the gap between the two fuels continues to narrow, currently at just over nine cents in favor of diesel over gasoline. The price drop coincides with the expiration of the 20 cents per liter gasoline discount set by the Government, which will expire on 31 December this year if the Executive does not extend the measure until 2023.
Although it is not possible to forecast prices for the next few days, industry sources say that the decline may continue due to decreased consumption. In October, according to the latest data provided by Cores, automotive fuel consumption decreased by 9.7% compared to the same month of 2019. In any case, don’t be surprised if you find a higher price at gas stations on Saturday, as it’s common practice to increase the fair cost on bridges.
OCCUPATION IS ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS
The upcoming holidays represent a great opportunity for the hospitality industry as well. The occupancy expected by organizations will be close to pre-pandemic levels: “We’re barely three points away from 2019 volume” and bookings “significantly exceed 2021”, he reassures. Jorge Marichalhead Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT). “The recovery was confirmed by a very positive trend in both urban and rural destinations,” he adds. Marichal also notes that the return to normalcy is perceived “country-wide” and is noticed in the increase in touristic alternatives such as gastronomic getaways. “We will have a good bridge,” he said, so good that reservations are being made for the bridge.
Regarding the prices of reservations, Destinia’s records show: The average price continues its upward trend that started in the summer months, which is 21% higher per person and per night than in 2019.. This year, estimates show that each person will spend an average of 49 euros per night, compared to 40 euros spent at pre-pandemic levels. “But it was the least growing bridge compared to 2021,” they explain. Madrid, Benidorm, Barcelona or Seville are the favorite destinations of Spaniards. for these dates and Vigo is once again in the “top 10” due to the Christmas lights being turned on as in 2021. Internationally, the countries chosen to enjoy the bridge are Portugal, France, Italy and Andorra.
“Very good dates” for the hospitality industry
The accommodation sector also has very good feelings for the upcoming holidays. “There will be very good dates, Madrid will be full and we expect very good days for the sector”Says José Luis Yzuel, president of the Spanish Confederation of Hospitality Businesses, who predicts that December will register a 6% higher turnover compared to 2019.
Bars and restaurants are looking forward to the next few days with great optimism after the pandemic is over. “This time last year, we were hit hard by the emergence of the ohmron variant,” says Yzuel, who ruled out that traveling to spend your holidays elsewhere would reduce the industry’s billing. “The bars that suffer the most from travel may be neighborhood bars.” he admits.
PLANES AND TRAINS CLOSE TO 2019
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On transportation, both airlines and railroads are optimistic about the dates Covid-19 restrictions have brought these years. According to figures provided by AENA, airlines have planned a total of 44,342 flights at Spanish airports for this bridgeJust 2.4% below the 45,443 flights served during the same holiday period of 2019. The day with the most operations will be this Friday, with a total of 4,865 flights, slightly higher than the 4,828 flights in 2019. Malaga and Gran Canaria with the most scheduled flights exceeded the volumes recorded at pre-pandemic levels, while Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca are close to 2019 figures.
The railway is also lucky. In order to adapt its offer to the anticipated huge demand, Renfe has freed more than one and a half million seats on its high-speed and medium-distance trains that will travel from tomorrow until Sunday 11 December. The company has increased its most requested connections, such as routes between Madrid and the Valencian Community, Catalonia and Andalusia. A total of 138 double compound trains from AVE, Avlo (high speed ‘low cost’ trains), Euromed and Intercity double the seat offer on these services. Midrange also expanded their offerings to more than 600,000 seats on Avant and Regional services.