The good weather has finally arrived with Easter. The escalation of temperatures, which in the final stretch of these holidays reach 23 degrees on the coast and 28 degrees in the interior, is driving people to the beaches, where many citizens take the opportunity to sunbathe or take the first swim of the year in the sea. This is the case of Barcelona, where the main beaches have seen walkers and bathers arrive to them despite the exodus of citizens. This flight has been compensated by tourists, who hoteliers expected would almost fill the hotels.
The Barcelona Hoteliers Guild forecast an occupancy rate of around 85% in Barcelona, very similar to other years. But also the Costa Daurada, the Costa Brava and Sitges were preparing to fill more than 80% of their places. According to first counts, those figures could have been even higher. This year, in addition, Catalonia will be able to benefit from its status as refuge destination for tourists who want to avoid going far due to the geopolitical context.
Although tomorrow is still a holiday in Catalonia, the Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) plans a staggered Operation Return. Some 590,000 vehicles begin their return to the metropolitan area of Barcelona from this Sunday until tomorrow. Of these, about 270,000 will wait to do so until Easter Monday, between noon and midnight.
