From Hotels to Campsites: Analyzing Spain’s Accommodation Trends in the First Half of 2024

Spain’s accommodation sector plays a crucial role in its robust tourism industry. With a wide range of options available, from luxurious hotels to quaint rural stays, Spain caters to millions of tourists every year. The data in this article provides a comprehensive analysis of guest numbers and booked nights across various accommodation categories in Spain during the first semester of 2024.

Overview of Accommodation Categories

Spain’s accommodation options are diverse, including:

  • Hotels: Ranging from budget to luxury, provide a wide array of services and amenities.
  • Albergues (Hostels): Budget-friendly options often preferred by backpackers and young travelers.
  • Vacation Rentals: Including apartments and homes listed on platforms like Airbnb.
  • Rural Accommodations: Offering a serene escape in the countryside, popular among eco-tourists.
  • Campsites: Favored by outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a closer connection to nature.

Data Summary: Accomodation Trends from January to June 2024

In the first semester of 2024, Spain’s accommodation sector showed strong performance, continuing its recovery from the pandemic. Overall, guest numbers reached 68 million and booked nights totaled 217 millions. But now, let’s dive into each category to see how it performed.

Hotels

Hotels Spain

Hotels remain the cornerstone of Spain’s accommodation sector. During the first half of 2024, hotels recorded 53 million guests, accounting for 78% of total guest numbers. Booked nights in hotels reached 160 million, with an average stay of three nights per booking.

  • Regions with the largest presences
    • Catalonia: 9.9 million guests, driven by Barcelona’s cultural and business tourism.
    • Andalusia: 9.8 million guests, popular for its beaches and historical sites.
    • Madrid: 6.5 million guests, with a notable rise in business travel.
    • Balearic Islands: 5 million guests, reflecting strong beach tourism.

Hostels and Guesthouses

Hostel Spain

Hostels and guesthouses saw 2.3 million guests, with booked nights totaling 4 million. These accommodations remain popular among budget travelers and backpackers, especially in urban areas like Barcelona and Madrid. However, the region that recorded the highest number of bookings for albergues was Galicia.  This confirms the importance of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route not only for the spiritual and cultural soul of Spain, but for its hotel industry too.

Vacation Rentals

Villa Spain

The vacation rental market continued its robust growth, driven by platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. In the first half of 2024, 6 million guests opted for vacation rentals, with booked nights reaching 30 million. Urban rentals in cities like Madrid and Barcelona were particularly popular, as well as rural rentals in picturesque locations such as the Canarias and Andalusia’s white villages. Regulatory changes aiming to balance the market by controlling rental supply and maintaining community integrity have slightly curbed the growth but ensured sustainability.

Rural Accommodations

Rural House Spain

Rural accommodations experienced significant growth, appealing to those seeking eco-friendly and tranquil stays. These accommodations often offer unique experiences such as farm stays and nature-based activities. With almost 2 million guests and 4.7 million booked nights,  the region that attracted the highest numbers of eco-conscious tourists was Castilla y Leon, followed by the balearic Islands and Cataluna. However, agritourism and rural retreats in Andalusia received almost 550.00 reservations, making the region the third for number of bookings in this category.

Campsites

Camping Spain

Campsites attracted 4 million guests in the first semester of 2024, totaling almost 18 million booked nights. This category remains popular among domestic tourists and nature lovers, with higher occupancy in regions like cataluna, Andalusia and Valencia during warmer months.

Comparative Analysis

Hotels lead in both guest numbers and booked nights, but vacation rentals and rural accommodations show notable growth. Factors influencing these trends include cost, location, amenities, and the increasing preference for sustainable and personalized travel experiences.

Conclusion

Also in the first half of 2024, the diverse accommodation ecosystem in Spain has positioned itself well among the preferences of global travellers. Indeed, Spain’s accommodation sector has demonstrated an ability to meet the needs of both domestic and international tourism.

References

  • Dataestur – SEGITTUR
    Instrumento de la Secretaría de Estado de Turismo para impulsar la innovación y la tecnología en el sector turístico.