The non-hotel tourist accommodation sector in Spain closed 2024 with a 3.0% increase in total overnight stays compared to 2023, reaching 142.6 million. However, December saw a 3.5% drop compared to the same month last year, with a total of 6.8 million overnight stays.
The decline in December was driven by a 7.1% drop in domestic overnight stays, while those of international tourists fell by 1.2%. Despite this temporary setback, international tourism remained the key driver of annual growth, with a 5.8% increase in overnight stays by non-residents throughout the year.
Tourist Apartments: Canary Islands Still in the Lead
Tourist apartments accounted for 50.3% of non-hotel overnight stays in 2024, growing by 2.2% annually. However, in December, they recorded a 4.1% decline, affected by a reduction in the average length of stay and lower demand from domestic tourists.
The Canary Islands remained the top destination in this segment, with more than 2.2 million overnight stays in December, although with a slight 2.7% decrease. The archipelago also led occupancy rates, with 82.1% of available apartments occupied, with Fuerteventura registering the highest rate (84.7%).
Campsites and Rural Tourism: Contrasting Demand Trends
The campsite segment grew by 1.9% in December, driven by foreign demand (+2.9%), while domestic overnight stays remained stable. Over the year, this type of accommodation saw a 4.7% increase, with Catalonia being the most popular destination.
On the other hand, rural tourism accommodations experienced a 10.1% drop in December, with a 13.4% decline in domestic demand. However, overnight stays by foreign tourists increased by 16.1%. On an annual basis, the segment saw only a marginal 0.4% increase. Castilla y León remained the region with the highest number of rural tourism overnight stays, while the Canary Islands led in occupancy with 40.2% of beds occupied.
Rising Price Indices
Despite demand fluctuations, prices for non-hotel accommodations maintained an upward trend in 2024. The Tourist Apartment Price Index (IPAP) rose by 7.1% in December, the same as for campsites, while rural tourism prices increased by 4.1%.
Overall, the non-hotel tourism sector ended 2024 on a positive note despite the slowdown in the final month of the year. The resilience of international demand and rising prices indicate a strong sector, although domestic tourism trends present challenges for 2025.
Source: INE