Home Sales Soared 15.8% in February

Property sales increased 5.3% in Feb 2016

February 2016 proved to be a great month for property sales as the number of property transfers increased 5.3% over the same month in the previous year to a total of 154,386 properties.

Sales of housing increased a whopping 15.8% with 34,771 deed transfers registered, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute.

When looking at the type of housing sold, 84.9% was in relation to urban properties, with 15.1% of properties being rural. In the case of the urban properties, 56.7% were residential properties.

Rural properties showing an increase in the annual rate of 4.2%, while for urban properties the increase was 13.9%.

According to the data, 22.5% of the homes sold in February were new properties while resale (second-hand) properties accounted for 77.5% of purchases. This represents a fall of 0.2% on new property while resale properties seem to be responsible for the positive figures after registering a 21.4% increase in February.

By Community

Per 100,000 residents, the communities with the highest increases in property transfers during February were Extremadura and the Balearic Islands, with increases of 29.6% and 26.4%, respectively.

The only two communities to register a negative monthly variation were Andalucia which saw a fall of 10.6% and Galicia where property sales fell 1%, when compared to the same period in 2015. Despite this overall decline, Andalucia recorded the highest number of home sales in February with 6,476 homes sold. They were followed by Cataluña with 5,304 and Madrid with 5,275 home sales.

When looking at sales of residential property, the communities with the highest annual increase were the Basque Country with a massive 50.3% increase, closely followed by Asturias with a 40% increase and Cantabria where home sales increased 38.9%.

Type of Housing

The data suggests that 89.2% of the properties sold in February were free housing while 10.8% was protected. This represents an increase of 16% for free housing while protected housing increased 14.3%.

The data further suggests that when comparing February to January, 2016, sales of residential property increased by 7.3%, representing the first positive February for five years.

 

Tourist Numbers Increased 14% In February

Tourist numbers continue to rise

Tourists continue to flock to Spain as other once favoured destinations are avoided due to continuing security fears.

February saw 3.7 million international tourists travel to Spain representing a 13.7% increase over the same period in the previous year, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute.

British tourists came in the largest numbers, once again, accounting for 22% (806,835) of the total arrivals during February. This representas an increase of 17.1% when compared to February 2015.

French and German tourists were the second largest groups with 529,716 and 481,219, respectively. French travellers increased by 8.5% on the annual rate, while Germans increased by 7.4%.

The UK, France and Germany have long been the largest source of tourists for Spain but this year has seen increases in numbers from other countries too. Traveller numbers from Russia have increased substantially showing a 19.8% gain, when compared to Feb 2015. American traveller numbers increased by 18.4% while the number of tourists from Ireland grew by 17.3% during February.

Tourist Destinations

The Canary Islands proved to be the most popular area attracting 30.3% of the total travellers. This was followed by Catalonia with 25.3% of the total, while Andalucia accounted for 13.4%.

The Canary Islands saw a 10.5% increase, when compared to the same period in 2015, rising to 1,114,737 tourists. The majority came from the UK with 31.9% of the total, while Nordic countries accounted for 22.3%.

The number of tourists visiting Catalonia during February increased by 13% over the same month in 2015, to over 930,000, while Andalucia saw annual growth of 14.3%, representing almost half a million tourists.

The Balearic Islands saw phenomenal growth for February with an annual increase of 42.1%. This has been put down, in part, to increased supply of accommodation. Valencia saw an increase of 24.4% whle Madrid saw gains of 12% over 2015.

Where, Why, and How long?

Hotel stays increased by 16.3% during February while the numbers renting a private property for their stay fell by 2.1% on the annual rate.

The number of tourists staying with friends or family rose by 13.6%.

The main reason stated by travellers for the visit was leisure, recreation and holidays, accounting for 2,814,038. This represents annual growth of 7.3%.

Business travellers represented 439,747 visitors during February, a huge 45.4% increase, while 37.4% of travellers stated “other” as their reason for travelling.

The number of travellers that stayed for between four and seven nights increased 17.1% to 1.8 million, while 681,851 travellers stayed for between eight and 15 nights. Long stay travellers (more than 15 nights) increased by 6.5% on the annual rate to 275,876.

Semana Santa (Easter) came early this year and has just passed. It was very, very busy with unusally hot weather for this time of year adding to the madness. Marbella and Puerto Banus were chaotic! The roads were jammed, parking was scarce and the beaches were full. I look forward to seeing the offical figures for March and expect them to be high!

If the trends of the first few months continue then 2016 is going to be a great year for tourism!

 

Average mortgage value fell 10.5% in July

According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the average value of mortgages  for homes approved in July fell 10.5% to an average of 98,892€, compared to July 2011.

Overall, the average value of all mortgages constituted in Spain during July decreased 19.4% in the inter-annual rate with the average falling to 99,157€.

The main points of the press release are below.

During the month of July, the average amount of mortgage constitutions recorded in the land registries stood at 99,157 euros, a figure 19.4% lower than the same month the previous year and 19.0% lower than that recorded in June 2012.

In the case of mortgages constituted for dwellings, the average amount was 98,892 euros, 10.5% less than in July 2011, and 8.0% lower than that registered in June 2012.

The value of the mortgages constituted on urban properties was 3,858 million euros in July, indicating an interannual decrease of 28.9%. In dwellings, the capital loaned exceeded 2,402 million euros, 26.2% less.

Mortgages by institution

Banks were the institutions that granted the largest number of mortgage loans in July (74.3% of the total), followed by Savings Banks (10.2%) and Other financial institutions (15.5%).

Regarding the capital loaned, Banks granted 71.9% of the total, Savings Banks 11.1%, and Other financial institutions 17.0%.

Mortgage interest rates

The average interest rate for the total of mortgage loans was 4.27%, indicating a 0.2% less than July 2011. Regarding dwellings, the average interest rate was 4.24%, representing an annual variation of 1.8%.

By institution, the average interest rate of Savings Bank mortgage loans was 4.34%, and the average term was 22 years. Regarding Banks, the average interest rate for mortgage loans was 4.38%, and the average term was 21 years.

92.1% of the mortgages constituted in July used a variable interest rate, as opposed to the 7.9% that used a fixed rate. The Euribor was the reference interest rate most used in constituting mortgages, specifically in 85.4% of new contracts.

You can download the full press release here: Mortgage Statistics – July 2012

Statistics on transfer of property rights – July 2012.

In July, the number of property transfers registered at notary was 133,144 which represent a 3.9% increase over the same period last year.

This is according to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics which also showed that the number of homes transferred in July was 2.5% lower than in the same month last year.

The press release is below.

The number of property transfers recorded in the land registries, from public deeds previously registered, was 133,144 in July, that is, 3.9% more than for the same month in 2011, and 2.2% higher than in June 2012.

In the case of registered merchantings of property, the number of transfers was 57,344, representing an interannual decrease of 0.6%, and an increase of 5.3%, as compared with the previous month.

Merchantings recorded in the land registries

86.5% of the registered merchantings corresponded to urban properties and 13.5% to rustic properties. Among the urban properties, 55.2% were merchantings of dwellings.

The number of merchantings of rustic properties increased 1.2% in the interannual rate in July, while that of urban properties decreased 0.8%. Within the latter, merchantings of dwellings decreased 2.5%.

Registered merchantings of dwellings, by protection system and status

87.6% of transfers of dwellings by merchanting in July were free housing, and 12.4% were protected housing. In interannual terms, the number of transfers of free dwellings by merchanting decreased 2.5%, the same figure than protected housing.

48.5% of the dwellings transferred by merchanting in July were new, and 51.5% were used. The number of transactions on new dwellings decreased 0.2% and the number of used dwellings decreased 4.6%, as compared with July 2011.

You can download the full press release here: Statistics on Transfer of Property Rights – July 2012

Annual labour costs increased in 2011

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) has released figures showing the annual costs per worker increased by 1.1% in 2011, compared to the previous year.

The INE summarise the main points as follows:

• The total cost per worker, in gross terms, is 31,170.06 euros during the year 2011, for a 1.1% increase over the previous year.
• The net cost is 30,886.60 euros per worker, after deducting 283.46 euros for subsidies and deductions received by the Public Administrations in order to promote employment and vocational training.
• 73.1% of the total cost is earmarked for wages (22,775.76 euros per worker) and 22.0% to obligatory Social Security contributions (6,872.70 euros per worker).
• Of the remaining items comprising the cost, 556.88 annual euros per worker are for social benefits, 323.40 for expenses from work, 530.37 euros correspond to compensation for dismissal and 110.95 to vocational training.
• 95.7% of the centres, representing 89.5% of workers, regulate their labour relations through collective agreements.

Annual labour cost per worker

The labour cost per worker, in gross terms, was 31,170.06 euros in 2011, according to the results of the Annual Labour Cost Survey (ALCS), which completes the results obtained quarterly from the Quarterly Labour Cost Survey (QLCS). This cost represented a 1.1% increase as compared with the year 2010. After subtracting the subsidies and deductions received by the Public Administrations from this figure, a net cost of 30,886.60 euros was obtained, also with interannual growth of 1.1%.

Salaries and wages plus contributions to Social Security, together, accounted for 95.1% of the gross cost.

In addition to wages and contributions, 556.88 annual euros per worker were for social benefits (voluntary contributions to insurance and pension plans, complementary benefits from Social Security and expenses of a social nature), 323.40 for other expenses from work (end of contract payouts, small tools and work clothes, travel to the workplace, selection of personnel, etc.), 530.37 euros corresponded to compensation for dismissal, and 110.95 euros to vocational training.

Labour cost by economic activity

Industry was the economic sector with the greatest labour costs, reaching 35,251.32 euros per worker in 2011, that is, 1.7% more than the previous year. Worth noting was the increase in wage costs (2.8%), as well as the decrease in non-wage costs (1.5%).

The Construction sector experienced the greatest growth in net cost (2.6%), due to the increase in both wage costs (2.5%) and non-wage costs (2.8%).

In the Services sector, the increase in net cost was 1.0%. This sector recorded the least growth in wage costs (0.5%), and a 2.3% growth in non-wage costs.

The differences between the labour cost per worker were noteworthy, according to the different activities of the CNAE-09 classification of activities, with a broad spectrum ranging from 18,845.19 gross annual euros per worker in Accommodation, to 77,034.69 euros per wage earner in the Supply of electrical energy, gas, steam and air conditioning section.

You can see the full report here: Annual Labour Costs Survey – 2011

Average wage increased 1.2% in Q1

It’s not all bad then – the average salary in Spain increased by 1.2% during the first quarter to an average of 1,841.89€ per month.

This is according to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics who have released their Q1 analysis of labour costs throughout Spain.

Their press releases summarises the results as follows:

• The labour cost of companies increases 1.1% in the first quarter of 2012, as compared with the same period of 2011, standing at 2,515.04 euros.
• The wage cost per worker per month increases 1.2%, reaching 1,841.89 euros on average. In turn, other costs increase 0.9%, standing at 673.15 euros per worker per month.
• The working day decreases 0.3%. This quarter, 3.3 working hours per week are lost on average, almost half of which are due to holidays taken and public holidays.
• The labour cost per effective hour worked increases 1.4%.

Labour cost by component 

The labour cost per worker per month reached 2,515.04 euros for the first quarter of 2012, indicating an increase of 1.1%, as compared with the same period of 2011.

Of the total cost per worker per month incurred by an employer for the use of the work factor, 1,841.89 euros corresponded to wages and 574.23 euros to obligatory Social Security contributions. The remainder corresponded to compensation for dismissal, social benefits, etc. Therefore, the main cause of the growth in total cost is its wage component.

The wage cost, which comprised base salary, wage supplements, overtime payments, extraordinary payments and delayed payments, measured in gross terms, increased 1.2% in interannual rate and stands from 1,819.62 to 1,841.89 euros per worker per month. If the variable factor is excluded from wages (extraordinary and delayed payments), the ordinary wage cost is obtained, which increased 1.2%.

Other costs (non-wage costs) increased 0.9%. Their main component, obligatory Social Security contributions, increased 0.5%. Within non-wage payments, which increased 4.1%, worth noting the increase of compensation for dismissal, the partial unemployment and other non-wage payment (currency devaluation, wear and tear of tools, acquisition of work clothes, travel expenses and allowances, distance allowance and city transport, relocation indemnities, contract termination indemnities, etc.)

The labour cost per hour increased 1.4%. This increase, greater than that of the cost per worker, was due to a decrease in the number of hours effectively worked.

Labour cost by economic sector

Industry has the highest increase in total labour cost. This sector presented the greatest increases in the total wage cost and in other costs, highlighting compensation for dismissal.

Construction follows the industry for growth of the various components of labour cost. Regarding the other costs, in this sector worth the increases in compensation for dismissal and direct social benefits.

Services presented the lowest total wage cost increase and its components. Of note was the drop in compensation for dismissal and the increase in other non-wage payment.

Working time

During the first quarter of 2012, the average agreed working week, considering full-time and part-time together, was 34.7 hours. Of these, an average of 3.3 hours were lost per week, most of which were due to holidays taken and public holidays.

After adding overtime and subtracting hours lost, the working week was reduced to 31.6 effective hours worked.

According to the type of working day, the wage difference between full and part-time workers was 4.61 euros per hour (13.93 euros/hour for full-time and 9.32 euros/hour for parttime).

Regarding the time worked, full-time workers practically doubled the effective hours worked by part-time workers (33.0 hours for full-time workers as compared with 17.3 hours for parttime workers).

You can download the complete report here: Quarterly Labour Cost Survey – Q1 2012

Property transfers down 5.7% in April

According to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE)  the number of property transfers in April decreased 5.7%, as compared with the same month the previous year.

The number of property transfers recorded in the land registries, from public deeds previously registered, was 117,018 in April, that is, 5.7% less than for the same month in 2011, and 20.0% lower than in March 2012.

In the case of registered merchantings of property, the number of transfers was 48,824, representing an interannual decrease of 7.0%, and a decrease of 16.6%, as compared with the previous month.

Merchantings recorded in the land registries

83.3% of the registered merchantings corresponded to urban properties and 16.7% to rustic properties. Among the urban properties, 53.0% were merchantings of dwellings.

The number of merchantings of rustic properties increased 5.3% in the interannual rate in April, while that of urban properties decreased 9.1%. Within the latter, merchantings of dwellings decreased 9.9%.

Registered merchantings of dwellings, by protection system and status 

88.8% of transfers of dwellings by merchanting in April were free housing, and 11.2% were protected housing. In interannual terms, the number of transfers of free dwellings by merchanting decreased 8.2% and that of protected dwellings decreased 21.1%.

46.5% of the dwellings transferred by merchanting in April were new, and 53.5% were used. The number of transactions on new dwellings decreased 11.6%, and the number of used dwellings decreased 8.3%, as compared with April 2011.

Geographical distribution

In April 2012, the total number of property transfers recorded in the land registries per 100,000 inhabitants¹ was highest in the Autonomous Communities of Castilla y Leon (541) and Castilla-La Mancha (519).

The Autonomous Communities showing the highest number of registered merchantings of property per 100,000 inhabitants¹ were Castilla-La Mancha (197) and Castilla y Leon (182).

By registered merchantings of dwellings, the Autonomous Communities in which the number of transfers per 100,000 inhabitants¹ was highest were Comunitat Valenciana (81) and Castilla-La Mancha (70).

60.7% of merchantings of dwellings in April 2012 were recorded in four Autonomous Communities: Andalucía, Comunitat Valenciana, Cataluña and Comunidad de Madrid.

You can download the full report here: Statistics on Transfer or Property Rights – April 2012

¹ This data was calculated from the revision of the figures of the Municipal Register for the year 2011. Only the population aged 18 to 84 years old was considered.

Long term unemployment up 43% in 2011

The number of people that have been unemployed for three years or more increased 43.0% in 2011, according to new figures released by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Most Spanish workers had a boss but no subordinates in the year 2011. According to the results of the subsample variables of the Economically Active Population Survey, seven out of 10 workers were in this situation, since they had jobs as employees (with a boss and without subordinates).

9.9% of the total employed persons in 2011 were independent workers (without a boss or subordinates); 6.6% were managers; 7.0% were directors of small companies, departments or branches; 5.7% were middle managers, and 0.8% were directors of large or medium-sized companies.

The percentage of employees remained the same with regard to 2010, that is, at 69.8%, whereas the percentage of managers decreased two tenths.

By sex, the percentage of male directors at least doubled the percentage of female directors, in all company sizes. In the case of the employee job, the percentage of women (77.6%) exceeded the percentage of men (63.4%).

Working conditions

92.6% of the persons employed in 2011 did not work any day in their home. 2.7% did so occasionally, and 4.0% worked from home on over half of their working days.

One in three persons (35.0%) worked at least one Saturday per month, one tenth more than in 2010. For 62.5% of employed persons, Saturday was not part of their working week in 2011.

Working on Sundays was again less customary. 78.6% of employed persons did not work any Sunday. In turn, 4.3% worked one Sunday a month (two tenths more than the previous year) and 15.9% two or more Sundays (five tenths more).

12.2% of employed persons worked the night shift (11.6% in 2010). 6.1% did so occasionally, and 6.1% on more than half of their working days. The percentage of male night shift workers (14.6%) surpassed the number of female night shift workers (9.3%).

Considering the type of hiring, the percentage of wage earners hired though a temporary employment agency (TEA) decreased from 3.0% to 2.7% in 2011, whilst 2.5% found employment through the intermediation of a public employment office (one tenth more than in 2010).

Dependency

A total of 359,500 persons worked part-time, for the purpose of having more time available to care for dependent persons in the year 2011, which were 0.6% less than in 2010.

Almost the entirety of those working part-time, in order to simultaneously work as carers, were women. 55.9% of them were of the opinion that there were not adequate services for caring for dependants, or they were unable to afford them.

Unemployed persons

The majority of unemployed persons were previously employed. In fact, for 52.1% of them, the main reason for having stopped working in the year 2011 was the end of the contract.

The number of unemployed persons who left their last job three or more years ago increased 43.0%, reaching 704,900. This figure accounted for 15.4% of the total unemployed persons, 3.9 points higher than in 2010.

You can download the full report here: Economically Active Population Survey – Subsample variables Year 2011

Number of mortgages still falling

The National Statistics Institute has released figures showing the average value of mortgages taken in March decreased 4.3% compared to the same period in 2011. The average value stands at 112,635 euros.

The number of mortgages with changes to conditions decreased 22.8%, while registered mortgage cancellations decreased 20.3%.

Mortgage Statistics  – March 2012

During the month of March, the average amount of mortgage constitutions recorded in the land registries stood at 112,635 euros, a figure 4.3% lower than the same month the previous year and 0.4% higher than that recorded in February 2012.

In the case of mortgages constituted for dwellings, the average amount was 103,782 euros, 7.8% less than in March 2011, and 1.0% less than that registered in February 2012.

The value of the mortgages constituted on urban properties was 4,351 million euros in March, indicating an interannual decrease of 42.5%. In dwellings, the capital loaned exceeded 2,586 million euros, 46.5% less.

Mortgages by institution

Banks were the institutions that granted the largest number of mortgage loans in March (70.2% of the total), followed by Savings Banks (14.1%) and Other financial institutions (15.7%).

Regarding the capital loaned, Banks granted 73.0% of the total, Savings Banks 12.4%, and Other financial institutions 14.6%.

Mortgage interest rates

The average interest rate in March 2012 was 4.37%, indicating a 10.8% increase in the interannual rate, and 0.5% as compared with February 2012.

By institution, the average interest rate of Savings Bank mortgage loans was 4.43%, and the average term was 21 years. Regarding Banks, the average interest rate for mortgage loans was 4.50%, and the average term was 21 years.

94.1% of the mortgages constituted in March used a variable interest rate, as opposed to the 5.9% that used a fixed rate. Within the variables, the Euribor was the reference interest rate most used in constituting mortgages, specifically in 87.0% of new contracts.

Mortgages with registration changes

In March, the total number of mortgages with changes in their conditions recorded in the land registries stood at 25,747, with an interannual decrease of 22.8%. For housing, the number of mortgages with modified conditions decreased 22.4%.

Considering the type of modification of the conditions, in March 21,678 novations (or modifications produced within the same financial institution) were produced, for an interannual decrease of 21.2%. The number of transactions that changed institutions (subrogations creditor) was 2,955, that is 31.7% less. In turn, 1,114 mortgages changed the holder of the mortgaged property (subrogations debtor), which implied an increase of 27.0%.

Number of mortgages with changes in interest rate conditions 

Of the 25,747 mortgages with changes in their conditions recorded in the land registries in March, 39.3% were due to changes in interest rates.

The percentage of mortgages at a fixed interest rate decreased after the change in conditions (from 3.9% to 1.9% of the total), since most of these loans were referenced to a variable interest rate. Within the interest rate structure, the Euribor was the main reference.

The lowest average interest before the change was that corresponding to Active Reference Rate of Savings Banks (3.62%) and after the change was MRTI of Savings Banks (4.13%).

After the modification of conditions, the average interest of the loans decreased 0.3 points in fixed interest rate mortgages, and decreased 0.08 points in variable interest rate mortgages.

Registered mortgage cancellations 

In March, 44,390 mortgage cancellations were registered, 20.3% less than in the same month of 2011. Mortgages cancelled on rustic properties increased 2.8%, whilst those cancelled on urban properties decreased 20.9%. Cancellations of mortgages on dwellings decreased 24.4% in the interannual rate.

Geographical distribution

The highest numbers of mortgaged properties per 100,000 inhabitants¹ was in Castilla y León (148). There is no community that presented a positive variation rate. The greatest negative variation rates was registered in La Rioja (-57.2%).

Principado de Asturias registered the highest average mortgaged amount (154,234 euros), and presented the highest positive variation rates (39.3%).

The Communities showing the highest number of properties with modified conditions in March per 100,000 inhabitants¹ were Comunitat Valenciana and La Rioja (both with 121). Those having the greatest number of registered mortgage cancellations per 100,000 inhabitants¹ were La Rioja (191), and Castilla – La Mancha (156).

¹ This data was calculated from the revision of the figures of the Municipal Register for the year 2011. Only the population aged 18 to 84 years old was considered.

You can download the complete report here: Mortgage Statistics – March 2012

Hotel occupancy down in April

New figures released today by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show that hotel occupancy was down in April by 4.8% compared to the same month in 2011.

Hotel Tourism Short-Term Trends – April 2012

During the month of April, 21.5 million overnight stays were recorded in hotel establishments, indicating a 4.8% decreases as compared with the same month in 2011. This decrease in overnight stays took place for both residents, whose interannual rate stood at –5.0%, and non-residents, with an interannual variation of –4.6%.

The average stay decreased 0.9% as compared with April 2011, standing at 3.0 nights per guest.

During the first quarter of the year, overnight decreased 2.1% as compared with the same period in 2011.

In turn, the Hotel Price Index (HPI) registered a 0.1% decrease in April. Regarding the indicators on the profitability of the hotel sector, invoicing per occupied room reached an average value of 68.1 euros, and income per available room stood at 36.8 euros.

In terms of occupancy, 49.9% of the available bedplaces were filled in April, indicating a 5.6% decrease as compared with the same month the previous year. The weekend occupancy rate by bedplaces stood at 56.3%, with a decrease of 2.4%.

Overnight stays of guests resident abroad

Guests from Germany and the United Kingdom registered rates of 24.6% and 20.8%, respectively, of the total overnight stays by foreign nationals in April. Both markets experienced a 9.3% and 6.8% interannual decrease in overnight stays, respectively.

Overnight stays of guests from France, Italy and Netherlands (the following countries of origin) registered interannual rates of 8.8 %, –9.3% and 12.5%, respectively.

Main destinations

The main destination chosen by non-residents was Canarias. In this Autonomous Community, overnight stays by foreign nationals decreased 10.1% as compared with April 2011. It was followed by Cataluña, with an interannual rate of 2.5%, and Illes Balears, with a decrease of 3.8%.

Andalucía, Cataluña and Comunitat Valenciana were the main destinations of guests resident in Spain, with interannual rates for overnight stays of –3.0%, –4.2% and –0.3%, respectively.

Results by Autonomous Community, tourist area and tourist site

During the month of April, Canarias was the Autonomous Community with the highest occupancy rate by bedplaces (63.7%), followed by Illes Balears (59.0%) and Comunidad de Madrid (55.5%).

The tourist areas with the highest occupancy and overnight stay rates were located on the islands and the coasts. The zone of Barcelona recorded the highest occupancy rate by bedplaces (74.7%) and the highest weekend occupancy rate by bedplaces (78.7%). Mallorca registered more than 2.2 million overnight stays in April.

The tourist sites with the highest number of overnight stays were Barcelona, Madrid and Benidorm. Barcelona reached the highest occupancy rate by bedplaces (75.1%) and Benidorm the highest weekend occupancy (85.0%).

Evolution of the Hotel Price Index

The interannual rate of the HPI stood at –0.1% in April, this rate being 0.2 points higher than that obtained last month, and 0.3 points that registered one year ago.

HPI by Autonomous Community

The four Communities (Canarias, Cataluña, Andalucía and Comunidad de Madrid) that carried 67.9% of the total weight of the HPI in the month of April, showed uneven behaviour.

Canarias, which carried the greatest load in the weighting structure this month, presented an interannual rate of 0.2%, that is, 3.0 points lower than that estimated in March. Hotel prices experienced an increase of 3.7% in Cataluña, as compared with 0.4% of the previous month.

In Andalucía, the interannual variation was 0.1%, as compared with the –2.5% observed last month. Comunidad de Madrid presented an interannual variation of –3.9%, that is, 0.6 points less than March.

HPI by category

Hotel prices increased in five-gold-star hotels (1.0%), in three-gold-star hotels (0.2%) and in one-gold-star hotels (0.1%) in April.

All other category presented a decrease in the interannual rate: three and two-silver-star hotels (–2.2%), two-gold-star (–1.1%), one-silver-star (–0.7%), and four-gold-star hotels (–0.2%).

Indicators on the Profitability of the Hotel Sector

The average invoicing by hotels per occupied room (ADR) in April was 68.1 euros, indicating a decrease of 1.1 euros as compared with the same month in 2011.

In turn, income per available room (RevPAR), conditioned by the occupancy registered in the hotel establishments, reached 36.8 euros, with a decrease of one euro as compared with April 2011.

By category, the average invoicing was 152.3 euros for five-star hotels, 73.3 euros for fourstar hotels and 53.3 euros for three-star hotels. Income per available room for these same categories was 88.2, 46.4 and 31.2 euros, respectively.

You can download the full press release here: Hotel Tourism Short-Term Trends – April 2012