As hotels along the Costa Blanca wave goodbye to 2025, the verdict is reassuringly positive.
Occupancy levels finished the year almost neck and neck with 2024, just 0.3 percentage points lower, proving the destination’s resilience in a highly competitive tourism market.
Average hotel occupancy for the year stood at 77.3%, according to regional hotel association Hosbec. A booming summer did much of the heavy lifting, even if a quieter spring and an unusually wet October took some shine off the overall results.
Costa Blanca hotels: A summer to remember
There’s no doubt where the Costa Blanca truly flexed its muscles. Summer was described by Hosbec as “very strong”, with occupancy peaking at an impressive 91% in August. Those numbers helped balance out an erratic autumn, where persistent rain in October dragged average occupancy down to 75.2%, well below the 81% recorded in October 2024.
Even so, improvements in November and December helped the sector close the year on a stable footing, reinforcing the Costa Blanca’s reputation as a dependable, year-round destination.
A mix of international visitors
Much of that strength comes from the international market, which Hosbec describes as “extraordinarily balanced”. The UK remains the largest source market, accounting for 14.4% of hotel guests, but it is far from a one-market story.
Visitors from the Netherlands, France, Germany and Ireland play a major role, alongside strong numbers from Belgium and Norway, both long-standing favourites for the Costa Blanca.
“This balance reinforces the image of a diverse and resilient destination, less dependent on any single market,” Hosbec noted.
Domestic tourism also continues to play an important role, representing 48% of total occupancy, although this figure has dipped slightly compared to last year.
Hotels, beds and a long season
Throughout 2025, the Costa Blanca kept an impressive level of supply open. On average, 314 hotel establishments were operating, rising to more than 350 in August. Monthly bed capacity averaged 29,500, comfortably surpassing 30,000 beds during peak summer months.
Looking ahead, the signs remain encouraging. Bookings for early 2026 already stand at 59%, underlining the Costa Blanca’s growing ability to stretch the tourist season beyond the traditional highs and lows.
Benidorm shining bright
While the Costa Blanca as a whole enjoyed a good year, Benidorm once again stood out. The resort closed 2025 with an average occupancy rate of 82.2%, consolidating its position as the leading tourist destination in the Valencian Community.
British visitors are key to that success, accounting for a remarkable 42.5% of Benidorm’s market share. Their loyalty continues to grow year on year. In fact, the UK alone represents more than half of all international hotel bookings across the Valencian Community.
Hosbec highlights Benidorm’s consistency as one of its greatest strengths. From May through October, occupancy regularly exceeded 85%, reaching a high of 92.2% in August. These figures, they say, confirm Benidorm’s “structural strength” well beyond the summer months.
A confident start to 2026
Benidorm’s performance has been supported by a high level of available accommodation. On average, nearly 44,000 beds were on offer across 130 hotels. The city had summer peaks reaching 48,000 beds and 146 hotels open.
The outlook for 2026 is equally promising. 59.1% of bookings for the first two weeks of January are already confirmed, a strong indicator in what is traditionally a quieter, more seasonal period.
