Hotel sector in Benidorm has best August in years.

THE hotel sector in Benidorm had the best August in four years with 92.9 per cent occupancy, hospitality association Hosbec data shows.

Last year’s average August occupancy stood at 91.5 per cent, 2009’s was 90.5 per cent and 2008 was 91 per cent.August 2007’s 96 per cent occupancy was the best in the past decade.

This increase was largely thanks to the major European markets. British tourism soared by 14 per cent over the last month to reach 28.7 per cent of rooms sold.

The domestic market, which is Benidorm’s main tourism source, experienced a slight decline due to the loss of family’s purchasing power. Overnight stays in particular fell by eight per cent during the last two weeks of August.

The Spanish market made of 55.7 per cent of rooms sold, British tourists 29.7 per cent, Portuguese 6.6 per cent, and Belgium 2.1 per cent.

Hosbec’s hopes are high for September with room nights reserved for the first two weeks bringing average occupancy to 91.1 per cent, 3.5 points more than the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the average hotel and rental accommodation occupancy in Calpe in the last two weeks of August was 91.5 per cent Specifically hotel occupancy was 90.6 per cent and rental accommodation 92.4 per cent. These figures are 3.6 and 2.4 points higher than the same period last year, according to Calpe Tourism Department.

Thanks to last minute bookings, initial estimates were exceeded by 12.9 per cent for hotel bookings and three per cent for rental accommodation.

Bed and Breakfast accommodation achieved 84.4 per cent occupancy and campsites 56.8 per cent.

Forecasts for the first half of September are 69.4 per cent for hotels and 51.2 per cent for rental accommodation, and 40 per cent for Bed and Breakfast accommodations and 30 per cent for campsites.

By Nicole Hallett