The new president of the Seville Hotel Association has outlined priorities for the coming years, including increasing the average length of stay for visitors, defending the interests of members, and promoting professional training. These actions aim to consolidate the region's tourism growth.
“"It is necessary to show the differences between tourist apartments and tourist flats."
The association emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between regulated tourist apartments, which comply with hotel regulations and are integrated into the urban ecosystem, and holiday homes (VUT), which lack the same regulation and supervision. It is estimated that VUT places exceed 47,000, a figure greater than the combined hotel and tourist apartment offerings in Seville, which total around 36,000 places.
Another crucial point is connectivity, considered fundamental for tourism development. The need to improve high-speed rail connections and the urgency of establishing direct flights to destinations such as the United States are highlighted. Currently, many international tourists arrive in Andalusia via airports like Malaga or Madrid, underscoring the importance of better interconnection.
The deseasonalization of tourism is a reality in Seville, with an average annual occupancy of 75% last year. However, the average length of stay for tourists in the city is 1.9 to 2 days, a lower figure than in other destinations. To increase this average, it is proposed to diversify tourist offerings and promote the province's cultural and historical richness.
Finally, the association reiterates its rejection of the tourist tax, arguing that it represents an additional tax on the sector that could affect competitiveness and create friction with visitors. The hotel sector contributes significantly to Seville's GDP, generating over 5 billion euros in gross added value.
