Spanish hotel rates surge 36% as tourism takes off in April

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpMADRID Reuters – Hotels in Spain increased their rates by 36 in April from a year ago, charging 96.3 euros 103.4 per night on average around the Easter holidays that marked a longawaited rebound of tourism after the COVID19 pandemic, official data showed.p

　　pThe average rate was also 15 higher than in April 2019, before the pandemic struck in early 2020, bringing global travel to a near halt and forcing the few hotels that remained open to significantly lower their rates.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　pThe National Statistics Institute on Tuesday said rooms in fivestar hotels cost 23 more than a year ago, averaging 226.5 euros per night. Ironically, staying in cheaper, twostar hotels was now 40 more expensive, with rates at 66 euros.p

　　pHoteliers have been able to adjust their rates and cover the inflation and energy price rises thanks to a significant increase in foreign tourism, mostly from Britain and Germany, as the European countries eased or lifted travel restrictions.p

　　pIn March and April this year, the number of clients staying in Spanish hotels rose more than five times from a year ago, and 40 of them were residents in the country, INE added. p

　　pTourist arrivals in April were at 86 of prepandemic 2019 levels and some popular islands hosted the same number of holidaymakers as they did before the pandemic, according to official figures.p

　　pSpanish hotel chain Melia said last week that during the Easter week it recorded a global increase of 18 in its room rates. The Mallorcabased group expects to have better sales at its resort hotels in 2022 than in 2019.p

　　p1 0.9314 eurosp

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　　pp Reporting by Corina Pons Editing by Andrei Khalip and Mark Porterp

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