Tourism sector hopes bookings will pick up in August after slow July

The tourism sector in Catalonia is waiting for August with the hopes that it will improve the low number of bookings in July. 

Despite the increase in prices, the sector is aiming for 90%occupation along the coast. 

In general, accommodation bookings and occupation have stagnated and even decreased slightly around Catalonia, but the sector believes numbers will rise in next month. 

Barcelona metropolitan area hopes for more international visitors

As hotels in Barcelona's metropolitan area get to the month of August with almost 100% of occupation, businesses in Sitges, Castelldefels, and the Maresme area hope to repeat the good numbers they saw in the summer of 2022. 

This year's tourism campaign began in March with good numbers and was evolving "favorably," according to Jordi Noguera, the president of the hotel guild. These then stagnated in June and July, especially due to the lack of visitors from England, France, and Germany. However, businesses in the metropolitan area are hoping for 70 to 80% occupation rates during the week and 90% over the weekend. 

Jordi Noguera when talking with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), stated that due to the pandemic, there have been some changes in the tourists' habits as they now they move around more and stay for shorter periods. 

Lower occupation rates in central Catalonia

Hotels and other establishments in Catalonia's central cities have been registering lower numbers of tourist occupations compared to last year's. 

In the month of July, occupation reached about 50% and is expected to hit 75% in some counties such as Berguedà. 

Lleida hoping to maintain last year's record

The western region of Lleida is hoping to hit the record-breaking numbers of 2022, when 581,000 tourists visited the area. 

In the month of July, occupation rates stood between 60 and 65%, and are expected to reach 80 to 95%, depending on the area and the kind of lodging. 

Most accommodations are expected to be full by the national holiday of August 15, when there will be a long weekend. 

Increase in prices in Costa Brava

The tourism sector in Costa Brava is also hoping to reach last year's figures, as occupation surpassed 90%. As in all of Catalonia, July has shown a decrease compared to the same month in 2022.

The Union of Hotels of Costa Brava has celebrated that, despite the increase in prices for accommodation due to the growth of food and energy costs, the market has responded positively.