Zaragoza is establishing itself as a key destination for national and international events, achieving a hotel occupancy rate of 90% in April 2026 thanks to major events such as Smopyc, The Wave, and various sports competitions. This increase in occupancy reflects the positive impact of large events on the local economy, according to data from Horeca Hoteles Zaragoza.
Impact of Major Events on Hotel Occupancy
During the Smopyc fair, held from April 15 to 18, hotel occupancy reached an average of 90.28%, with a peak of 95.06% on the night from Thursday to Friday. This figure represents a significant improvement compared to previous editions, which recorded occupancy rates of 77.02% in 2023 and 86.89% in 2021. The average stay during this event was 2.33 days.
Meanwhile, The Wave, which took place from April 14 to 16, achieved a projected occupancy of 90.66%. This event had a representation rate of 28.38%, contributing a final weight of 25.73% to total bookings. The Final Six, held from April 15 to 19, estimated an occupancy of 89.40%, with an incidence of 35.54% on total bookings.
The Zaragoza Marathon, which occurred on April 12, also contributed significantly, reaching an occupancy rate of 71.65% for the night of Saturday.
Claims and Needs for the Future
Horeca Hoteles Zaragoza has urged public administrations to maintain an ambitious strategy for attracting events, viewing them not only as tourist drivers but also as engines of economic and social development. The association highlights that conventions, fairs, and sports events generate direct economic activity and position Zaragoza on the national and international tourism map.
Additionally, the need to improve the city’s air connectivity is emphasized. Antonio Presencio, president of the organization, points out that Zaragoza has the potential to become a true hub, but it is essential to enhance its accessibility to facilitate the arrival of visitors.
Public-Private Collaboration as the Key to Success
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is seen as an essential element to boost the tourism competitiveness of Zaragoza. This synergy is fundamental to consolidating the city as a benchmark in the organization of major events, ensuring sustained growth that benefits the local economy.
