Spain’s non-hotel tourist accommodations, including apartments, campsites, rural tourism spots, and hostels, recorded over 10 million overnight stays in October 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
While this figure reflects a slight decline of 0.5% compared to October 2023, the detailed data reveals intriguing trends about where travelers chose to stay and how preferences varied between domestic and international visitors.
Overnight stays in tourist apartments increased by 0.2%, with non-resident travelers driving this growth, marking a 3.5% rise in their stays. On the other hand, domestic stays in apartments fell by 10.8%.
The Canary Islands emerged as the favorite destination for apartments, boasting over 2.2 million overnight stays and a 4.2% year-on-year increase. Tenerife stood out as a top choice within the Canary Islands, recording over 761,000 stays. The Community of Madrid led in occupancy rates, with 82.4% of apartments filled, while the Barcelona Coast recorded the highest occupancy rate at 88%.
In contrast, campsites saw a 1.9% decrease in overnight stays. Domestic travelers accounted for a significant 20.2% drop, while non-resident stays surged by 14%. The Valencian Community was the preferred destination for camping enthusiasts, with over 880,000 stays and an annual growth rate of 2.3%. Costa Blanca, a favorite within the region, recorded over 465,000 overnight stays and an impressive occupancy rate of 85.7%. Germany remained the primary market for non-resident campers, contributing 33% of the total stays.
Rural tourism accommodations experienced a minor 0.7% decline in stays compared to October 2023. Domestic travelers recorded an 8.1% decrease, while non-resident stays rose significantly by 15%. The Balearic Islands claimed the top spot for rural tourism, with over 177,000 stays—an increase of 16.1%. Mallorca led the way within the region, boasting more than 140,000 stays and the highest occupancy rate at 52.6%.
While hostels experienced a slight 0.4% drop in overnight stays, this segment demonstrated resilience in attracting travelers. Notably, average stays across all types of non-hotel accommodations in Spain were approximately four nights per traveler, reflecting a balanced mix of short and extended stays.
October also brought notable increases in accommodation prices. Tourist apartment prices rose by 6.5%, campsite rates by 5.1%, and rural tourism house rates by 4.6%. These trends highlight the growing demand for non-hotel accommodations and their potential to cater to diverse traveler preferences.
Overall, Spain’s non-hotel tourism sector showed both stability and regional variation in October 2024. While international visitors contributed significantly to growth in several areas, domestic travel saw declines in specific segments. The Canary Islands, Valencian Community, and Balearic Islands stood out as top destinations, continuing to attract a mix of local and international travelers.
