June data reveal a robust rebound in overnight stays at Spanish hotels, with totals surpassing 35.1 million and a 146.7 percent year-on-year rise from 2021, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). In the Costa Blanca region, including Benidorm, hotels hosted 650,305 visitors, split between 342,703 domestic travelers and 306,622 international guests, contributing to roughly 2.6 million total overnight stays. Costa Blanca itself welcomed about one million visitors, matching June 2019 in headcount while showing higher hotel activity with 624,226 guests and about 25,000 more guests than June 2019. The average stay length grew 27 percent to six nights per tourist compared with June 2021, a period when recovery was still gaining momentum. INE data confirm a clear surge in domestic travel, with residents accounting for 12.1 million overnight stays, about 34.6 percent of the total, while non-residents contributed near 23 million stays. The length of stay also rose by 27.3 percent from June 2021 to an average of 3.2 nights per traveler. In the first half of 2022, overnight stays rose 285.5 percent versus the same period a year earlier, highlighting a rapid tourism recovery across the country. Market hotspots for Spanish residents in June included Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community, representing 21.9 percent, 16.9 percent, and 13.1 percent of total overnight stays respectively. For non-residents, the Balearic Islands led with 35.6 percent, followed by the Canary Islands at 18.9 percent and Catalonia at 17.5 percent. Hotel occupancy reached 62.9 percent in June, with available bed capacity up 68 percent year over year. Weekend occupancy climbed to 70.4 percent, up 45.6 percent from the prior period. The data point to a swift recovery in travel demand and hotel activity across major destinations. INE notes that airport activity also supported the rebound, with the network handling around 5.7 million passengers through June, remaining within 17 percent of the 2019 level. Attribution: INE. More context and interpretation come from national statistics and regional tourism agencies. In a broader sense, the June travel surge aligns with easing travel restrictions and renewed consumer confidence in domestic and international trips. It reflects a pattern seen across major city regions and resort hubs that attract both leisure and longer stays. The trend is especially evident in the balance between popular city destinations and coastal holiday areas showing stronger occupancy during peak weekends. For readers in Canada and the United States, these shifts offer practical lessons for seasonal promotions and capacity planning during high-demand periods.
Prices rise and hotel revenue trends
The Hotel Price Index recorded an annual increase of 20.6 percent in June, up 11.8 points from the previous month and 1.5 points higher than June 2021. Among autonomous communities, Madrid and the Basque Country posted the largest price gains, while Ceuta had the smallest increase at 7.4 percent. The strongest price momentum appeared in business category properties, with a 31.8 percent rise. The average daily rate (ADR) for occupied rooms stood at 105.7 euros in June, up 23.3 percent from June 2021. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose accordingly, reflecting stronger overall hotel performance. Per traveler, the average income per available room climbed to 74.2 euros, driven by higher occupancy. In five-star, four-star, and three-star segments, average billed amounts were 247.4 euros, 111.2 euros, and 84.5 euros respectively, with corresponding revenue per room of 175.6, 85.1, and 61.0 euros. Marbella led with the highest ADR at 217.7 euros per occupied room and posted the strongest RevPAR at 160.3 euros per available room. Attribution: INE. The revenue mix signals healthier margins for the sector as demand returns and pricing power improves across hotel categories.
Madrid–Barcelona train service expansion
On the transportation front, Renfe announced a new weekend service starting this Friday. An intercity route will link Barcelona, Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante on Saturdays and Sundays from July 23 to September 11, with an upgrade to longer-distance services along the Mediterranean Corridor to meet weekend demand. Two trains will operate this route: one from Alicante to Barcelona Sants on Saturdays at 07:25, and another from Barcelona to Alicante on Sundays at 14:10. The expansion adds about 3,500 seats on this corridor. Attribution: Renfe. Renfe emphasizes zero-emission railway operation, with trains running largely on electricity sourced from renewable energy. The aim is to move substantial numbers of passengers and goods with lower energy consumption. The railway sector overall emits five to seven times less CO2 than road transport and seven to ten times less than air travel, contributing to a cleaner transport mix.