Eurovision Song Contest Fuels Near-Total Hotel Occupancy in Basel

The upcoming Eurovision Song Contest propels Basel hotel bookings to nearly full capacity, with occupancy rates as high as 97%. The limited number of hotel rooms in Basel compared to previous host cities is contributing to the high booking rate.

According to recent data from CoStar, a prominent provider of online real estate marketplaces and property market analytics, hotel booking levels in Basel are reaching new heights due to the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. The data shows occupancy rates as high as 97%, indicating a significant increase in demand for accommodation in the city.

The Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to be held at Basel’s St. Jakobshalle between 13-17 May, is the main driver behind the surge in hotel bookings. As of 28 April, the highest recorded occupancy rate is 97.3%, slated for the final night of the contest. The night before the finals shows a booking rate of 92.6%, while the booking rates for the other three nights hover in the mid-80% range.

Alex Robinson, Regional Director at STR, attributed the high occupancy rates to the early announcement of Basel as the host city for this year’s Eurovision. The announcement was made in August last year, giving ample time for demand to build and drive occupancy to compression levels.

Robinson also noted that the limited number of hotel rooms in Basel contributes to the high booking rates. He compared the situation to past Eurovision hosts in the region, such as Vienna in 2015 and Dusseldorf in 2011, which are much larger cities with more accommodation options.