Barcelona hotels aim for a record year in turnover after a summer of rising prices

Fewer full rooms, but more expensive. Barcelona hotels have closed the summer with an occupancy of 85%, a not inconsiderable figure, although 3.9 points below last year's, and 5.4 less than in 2019, the year before the pandemic and the one that the Gremi d'Hotels de Barcelona takes as a reference. This slight decrease, however, has been compensated by a fact that the guild considers very positive: an increase in rates that has raised the average price per room to 195 euros, eleven euros more than last year, and 45 more than in the summer before covid.

"We are in a positive dynamic that strengthens the international brand Barcelona," defended the president of the guild, Jordi Clos. The also president of the Derby Hotels chain has described the evolution of room prices in the city as "very positive", and has assured that the fact that there are fewer occupied beds does not generate any concern for him. Moreover, he has predicted that the sector will close this year with record turnover.

The data for the summer season are part of a year in which accumulated occupancy has been 82.1% from January to August —half a point less than in 2023—, and in which the average price in this period has risen to 190 euros, 16 more than in the same period last year and 49 above that in 2019.

This increase in prices has occurred in parallel with the increasing arrival in the city of an international traveler profile with considerable purchasing power, often linked to the business, culture and sports segments, with events such as the America's Cup, which started in August and will end in October. Although the volume of hotel reservations that the competition is bringing to the city "is not excessively important," according to Clos, coastal establishments already have reservations and high occupancy for the final stretch of the regatta trials.

This growing traveler profile has "led to the achievement of more qualitative tourism," and will continue to arrive in the city significantly during the coming months, which are expected to be very positive for the sector. The America's Cup is one of the factors that contribute to these good prospects, as it acts as a global showcase for the city and provides it with image and prestige, according to Clos: "Barcelona once again hosts sports events of international relevance."

But it's not all about the America's Cup, nor sports. The cultural sphere will also contribute to attracting visitors, with the European biennial Manifesta 15 as one of the most prominent events. Business and congress tourism, which plays a crucial role for hotels, also has good prospects for the rest of the year, and especially for 2025, when Barcelona will host for the first time three new international events: Vitafoods, ICE and LabelExpo.

These trade shows join global events already common in the city, such as the Mobile World Congress and the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE). These are internationally relevant events from diverse fields that contribute to "conveying a very powerful international image" of Barcelona which, according to Clos, facilitates its development and generates future opportunities for the city and its surroundings.