At the gates of the first Constitution Bridge, unrestricted travel and leisure are back on track after a period of two years that felt like a roller coaster for entertainment, hotels, restaurants, and transport. Within 24 hours of the decision to resume normal activity, fuel prices dropped below levels seen through 2022. Car owners enjoy a fortunate moment as a liter of gasoline shows a 2% week-over-week decline. Airlines are nearing pre-pandemic performance, keeping most scheduled flights only 2.4% below 2019 levels. Hotel reservations, while not fully recovered, are still well above 2021 figures and approaching the volumes seen in 2019, marking a steady rebound after a year marked by the health crisis.
Fuel price declines are not surprising. They follow a string of reductions driven by global market shifts. The European Union Petroleum Bulletin notes a weekly drop in gasoline to 1.70 euros per liter and a diesel price around 1,821 euros per liter, narrowing the gap between the fuels to roughly nine cents in favor of diesel. The shift comes as the temporary 20-cent-per-liter gasoline discount offered by the government is set to expire at year’s end unless extended. This creates expectations of stabilization or further movement depending on policy and demand.
Forecasting short-term fuel trends remains uncertain, but industry insiders point to ongoing softness in consumption. October data from CORESE shows automotive fuel consumption down nearly 9.7% from the same month in 2019. Still, travelers should not be surprised by occasional price spikes at the pump during peak travel days, especially on long weekends and bridge holidays.
Very good dates for the hospitality industry
The upcoming holidays present a strong opportunity for hotels and related services. Industry leaders anticipate occupancy levels near pre-pandemic benchmarks, with many noting a near-miss of 2019 volumes and reservations surpassing 2021. Leaders in the sector describe a broad recovery across urban and rural destinations, pointing to revived interest in gastronomic getaways and countrywide improvements. There is confident chatter that the bridge will attract substantial bookings, and operators note a surge in early reservations for the period.
Destinations remain popular with travelers who book ahead, and tourism services note that average daily spend is growing. Data from Destinia shows a continued upward pricing trend since the summer, with per-person, per-night costs averaging higher than 2019. In this travel window, guests are projected to spend more per night than in the pre-crisis period. While popular cities like Madrid, Benidorm, Barcelona, and Seville top the list, Vigo appears again in the top tier thanks to festive lighting reminiscent of 2021. International travelers are selecting Portugal, France, Italy, and Andorra for their breaks.
“Very good dates” for the hospitality industry
Hospitality insiders express clear optimism about the holidays. A prominent voice from the sector predicts that December will show a measurable uplift in turnover relative to 2019. The mood across hotels and dining venues aligns with an expectation of a strong finish to the year and a swift return to normal business rhythms. The general sentiment is positive, with many noting that the rebound is a national phenomenon felt across cities and smaller communities alike, not just in major urban centers.
Publications from the sector underscore how bars and restaurants are looking forward with renewed confidence after pandemic disruptions. It is acknowledged that the hospitality segment benefited from a shift in travel patterns, while some neighborhood bars may still shoulder tougher conditions if tourism dips in certain areas. Overall, the tone remains upbeat about a robust holiday season and a strong start to the new year.
PLANES AND TRAINS CLOSE TO 2019
On the transportation front, both airlines and rail services are cautiously optimistic about the holiday period shaped by post-pandemic travel norms. Data from major air hubs shows a total of flight activity just slightly below the 2019 benchmark. For example, the forecasted total at Spanish airports hovers around the mid-40 thousands, only a narrow margin below the same period in 2019. The day with the peak operations is expected to be Friday, with thousands of flights scheduled, a figure that edges past the 2019 level in some routes. Major hubs like Malaga and Gran Canaria anticipate more flights, while Madrid, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca approach their pre-crisis volumes.
Rail services continue to expand capacity to meet rising demand. Renfe has released additional seats across high-speed and regional trains, ensuring more options for travelers heading across the country. The plan features a notable increase in services on key routes, with a substantial boost in high-frequency connections between major cities and regions. The expanded timetable includes a wide range of services, from high-speed AVE to regional trains, all designed to accommodate the expected surge in travel during the holiday period.