In the run-up to the Christmas season, leisure venues in Spain are preparing to say goodbye to the year with a certain optimism and hope to make their August, paradoxically, in the month of December, with a global economic impact of 1,142 million euros. For nightclubs and pubs, this campaign represents 19.75% of the turnover for the entire year and 237.9% of the turnover of an average month, according to sector data.
The last month of 2023, in addition, will be somewhat better than last year: leisure venues anticipate an increase of 2.64% in December turnover compared to 2022, according to the first preview of the Perspectives Report of the 2023 Christmas Campaign, carried out by the National Federation of Leisure and Entertainment Entrepreneurs (Spain at Night) and Coca-Cola for the Leisure and Tourism Observatory.
This increase follows the upward trend of the sector observed last year compared to 2019, the last pre-pandemic year and, therefore, with comparable data. New Year’s Eve stands out as the most crucial holiday, although the report also highlights an increase in the relevance of company dinners, which have diversified and extended to several weekends in the last two years.
Furthermore, this type of celebration does not only occur in large companies. The study indicates that 71.23% of SMEs organize events or rent premises in December. This includes 36.99% who organize parties for groups and company dinners, 10.27% who rent the premises outside of regular sessions and 7.53% who rent the premises within their regular hours. In addition, 16.44% organize events in reserved areas of the establishment.
A notable novelty this year is the professionalization of event management and organization, covering everything from access to drinks, space reservations, catering services and transportation for travel.
The need to compensate for losses suffered during closures and restrictions has led many establishments to review their rates, reflected in an upward trend.
Vicente Pizcueta, Communications Director of Spain at Night, in an interview with this medium alludes to the fact that during the pandemic “85% of leisure revenue was lost, however now it is more expensive to go out than before Covid.”
The last night of the year – and the first dawn of the next – continues to be one of the most important for the nightlife sector. For 2023, advance ticket sales indicators predict a successful New Year’s Eve, with 79.73% of the public purchasing tickets in advance. The average advance purchase is 19 days, with an average starting price of 22.53 euros.
Ramón Mas, president of España de Noche, assures that the sector “recovers its economic and social weight in one of the most important months of the year.”
“Citizens choose leisure venues to celebrate the most important holidays such as Christmas, which offer a great deal to the public,” says Mas.