‘Being here is always more beneficial’

• Rop Zoutberg

  correspondent Spain

A striking consequence of the current crisis: energy tourism is taking off in Spain. In tour operators and hotels we see more and more bookings from Northern Europeans who, in addition to the cold, also escape from the energy bill in their own country.

John and Monique Buter are sitting on a sunny terrace near Alicante. The sea shines in the background. They ordered wine, a nice tomato salad and beef tenderloin. “All at the expense of the energy company,” smiles John Buter. And he calculates: in the Netherlands he currently pays 680 euros for energy. They are the same as the five hundred euros he pays for his apartment in Alicante, plus plane tickets (180 euros).

“I have an apartment here with a kitchen and shower. That’s all you need,” says Buter. “And it eventually gets even cheaper in the winter months. So you use more gas and so it’s just cheaper to sit here. Because the gas tap in the Netherlands is no longer open for a moment.” The couple is not afraid that the pipes in the house will freeze. “The neighbors to our left and right just keep warming up and make sure the house stays at around 16 degrees.”

Such calculations have now been made by more Northern Europeans, tour operators note. The winter holidays are back, reports the TUI travel organization in Belgium. “This choice is stimulated because the prices are very close to staying at home. Many hotels apply a discount for a stay of at least three weeks.” As a result, bookings increased by around 50%.

The Dutch branch of TUI is still cautious in drawing conclusions, but already sees the number of flights to the Spanish coast increase. My Flats, owner of apartments in Alicante, talks about an increase in bookings of around 20%. “It is a completely new form of tourism. The customers are typical pensionados. But teleworkers are also looking for a home in southern Spain. They have the same reason for being here: it’s cheaper than staying at home and paying for heating there, “says owner Daniel Elman.

Elman shows an apartment suitable for three people and costs 1200 euros per month, “including the cost of internet, electricity and heating”. Those wishing to stay in a hotel will have to spend more, even if a full board in nearby Benidorm costs no more than 40-55 euros per night. Customers are mainly travelers from Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

Energy prices in Spain and neighboring Portugal are still relatively low compared to other European countries. Spain and Portugal are barely connected to the European gas grid and much less dependent on Russian supplies. This is why both EU countries can apply their low price for gas until at least May next year. And as a result, electricity is also relatively cheap.

“Even if we take advantage of it, the motivation of those energy tourists is sad,” recognizes Daniel Elman. “It is becoming more difficult to pay the bills nationwide.” Elman is still not worried about next year, if prices could also rise in Spain.

“Nobody knows how long this crisis will last. However, the need for energy will only increase. It is easier to solve in a country where the sun shines brightly.”

John and Monique Buter have finished their lunch and are walking for the last time along the Mediterranean Sea, where the beach is packed. Autumn is mild and the temperature is around 28 degrees. Tomorrow they will return to Holland.

But the next booking has already been made, they will be back in January. “Then we’ll come for a month,” smiles John. “Of course you travel at the expense of your gas bill. In the summer you pay, but in the winter the energy company does it for us”.