News
Hotels full in Barcelona during Semana Santa, but with more restrained spending
Semana Santa has painted a clear picture in Barcelona: hotels are full, but tourists are more cautious with their spending. Occupancy has exceeded 80% in the metropolitan area, with peaks close to 90% in destinations like Sitges, one of the most dynamic spots on the coast.
Visitor numbers have remained steady over the holiday period, supported by stays of three or four nights and an agenda shaped by leisure, dining and walks by the sea. Even the ‘tardeo’ has become more prominent, adapting to an audience seeking more flexible, open-air plans.
The good weather, apart from the wind at the start of the week, has generally supported tourism activity. It has also boosted options in nearby natural settings, with reservoirs such as La Llosa del Cavall and Sant Ponç once again taking centre stage for activities such as kayaking and water routes.
However, average spending has not kept pace with occupancy. Shops and restaurants have noticed more restrained consumption, shaped by international uncertainty and the economic context. Many visitors have adjusted their budgets or spread their spending across more experiences.
This is compounded by a structural problem: a shortage of staff. Some establishments have had to limit services or not open all their areas because of the difficulty of finding qualified workers, a trend that has continued since the pandemic.
With summer in mind, the sector is also concerned about the impact of the tourist tax. Business owners fear that an indiscriminate increase will affect competitiveness at a time when prices are already rising.
Easter Week thus confirms a clear trend: Barcelona continues to attract visitors, but the challenge is no longer only to fill capacity, but to maintain spending levels and service quality in an increasingly demanding environment.