Foreign tourism in Almería has not recovered the ground lost since the pandemic. Last July, the province welcomed 42,646 international travelers, a figure similar to the previous year but significantly lower than in July 2019, with 8,070 fewer visitors. Curiously, this number is also lower than that recorded a decade ago.
Data from the National Statistics Institute's (INE) Hotel Occupancy Survey reveals that while the total number of travelers has returned to pre-pandemic levels, this is due to an increase in domestic tourism. In total, hotels in the province received 236,965 travelers in July, a slight increase compared to 2019. Spanish tourists numbered 194,319, surpassing 2019 figures and offsetting the drop in international visitors.
The foreign market shows an opposite trend: the 42,646 international visitors in July represent a 15.9% drop compared to July 2019 (50,716 visitors). The comparison with 2016 is also negative, with 4,637 fewer foreign tourists this year.
The evolution of overnight stays reflects an incomplete recovery. Almerian hotels recorded 954,906 stays in July, 8,753 fewer than in July 2019. Domestic tourism has increased its overnight stays, reaching 734,528 in July, surpassing 2019 figures. In contrast, foreigners accounted for 220,378 overnight stays, considerably less than the 244,234 in July 2019.
The hotel sector in Almería has expressed concern over a quieter season than expected. The president of the Provincial Association of Hospitality Entrepreneurs of Almería (Ashal), Pedro Sánchez-Fortún, noted that the province's connections hinder the arrival of a significant volume of international visitors. Hotel occupancy in July was around 73%, with forecasts of approximately 60% for August.
Sánchez-Fortún criticizes the idea that tourism in Almería is experiencing a particularly bright moment, highlighting the difficulties of accessing the province, especially by rail. The current situation presents a paradox: more tourists than before the pandemic, but fewer hotel nights and a foreign market that is not recovering its previous share.
