Benidorm hotels hit 93.7% occupancy as summer shows no sign of slowing

Benidorm has ended August with hotels almost full, reinforcing its position as one of the area’s strongest tourism destinations and raising hopes that the summer season will continue well into September.

Hotels in the Costa Blanca resort recorded an average occupancy of 93.7 per cent during the second half of August, according to the latest figures from hotel association HOSBEC. The result placed Benidorm at the top of the regional rankings, ahead of the Comunitat Valenciana average of 92.7 per cent.

September bookings remain strong

The figures suggest that the end of August has not brought the usual sharp slowdown for Benidorm.

Confirmed bookings for the first half of September have already reached 90.7 per cent, considerably higher than the 87.4 per cent forecast for the Comunitat Valenciana as a whole.

HOSBEC says the figures point towards a possible extension of the traditional summer season, with strong demand continuing after the peak holiday month.

That will be welcome news for businesses across Benidorm, where hotels, restaurants, bars and other tourism-related companies depend heavily on visitors throughout the summer.

The wider region also performed strongly, with every destination recording occupancy above 87 per cent during the second half of August. All destinations also improved on their figures from 2025, although the increases were described as moderate.

British visitors remain vital

Benidorm’s international appeal continues to play a major role in its success.

British holidaymakers remain the city’s biggest foreign market, accounting for 32.5 per cent of visitors. That is significantly higher than the British share across the Comunitat Valenciana, which stands at 20.8 per cent.

The Spanish domestic market represents 36.5 per cent of Benidorm’s visitors, a notably smaller proportion than in several other parts of the region.

The figures underline how important overseas tourism remains to the Costa Blanca resort and particularly to its hotel industry.

High occupancy comes with a warning

Despite the impressive headline figures, HOSBEC has warned that packed hotels do not automatically translate into higher profits.

Hotel operators are facing increased costs across several areas, including staffing, energy and food.

Energy costs alone have risen by 46.5 per cent since 2021, adding further pressure to businesses even as visitor numbers remain high.

Hotels are also continuing to invest heavily in renovations and upgrades as they compete for visitors and attempt to increase the value of their rooms.

The sector estimates that standard hotel renovation projects can cost between €750 and €1,500 per square metre, while high-end refurbishments can reach €3,000 per square metre.

For Benidorm, the latest figures therefore offer a mixed picture. Demand remains exceptionally strong and September is already looking busy, but hotels are having to absorb significantly higher costs behind the scenes.

With more than nine in ten rooms already expected to be occupied during the first half of September, however, the resort is showing little sign of letting summer end just yet.