Costa del Sol hotels expect 78.5% occupancy for Easter week
Hotels on the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga are predicting an occupancy rate of 78.5% during this year's Easter week, which is early according to initial forecasts.
According to data provided by the Costa del Sol Hoteliers Association, the main days from March 27 to April 1, from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, will see higher demand, with occupancy rates rising to almost 81%. Last-minute bookings, weather, and the economic situation will determine whether the occupancy rate will increase or decrease as the key date approaches, Sur in English writes.
Last year, the occupancy rate of hotels in the province of Málaga and the Costa del Sol during Easter week (Semana Santa) was 84.2%, nine percentage points higher than in 2022 (75.8%) and two percentage points lower than in 2019 (86%). However, on the main dates (April 5 and 9), the number of bookings increased to 87.8% – 40% of them were Spanish tourists and 60% were foreign tourists.
However, when Easter instead falls in March, it seems that hotel stays decline due to cooler and more unfavorable weather and competition from events such as the Fallas celebrations in Valencia or the attraction of the Sierra Nevada ski resort in Granada.
Tourism sector experts say that April Easter usually attracts more visitors than March Easter.
Málaga and Ronda tend to register the highest demand, as was the case in 2023, Aehcos noted. The city of Málaga led the way in terms of hotel occupancy last year with almost 93% between Maundy Thursday and Easter. Ronda also stood out for the long weekend with 93.4% of hotel rooms booked.
As TravelWise wrote, this year you might take a quick trip to Barcelona, Malaga, or Valencia to enjoy the light and richness of the Mediterranean Sea. Or perhaps you'll plan a gastronomic tour of the Basque Country or a cycling trip through Mallorca.