Overnight stays in non-hotel tourist accommodations (apartments, campsites, rural tourism accommodations and hostels) in Spain exceeded 5.3 million in February, which is more than four times those of the same month of 2021 (+304.8%), according to provisional data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE in Spanish).
This boost was mainly due to the 423.2% increase (five times more) in foreigners' overnight stays. Spanish tourists' stays increased by 175.1% in the second month of the year, two times more than in February 2021. The average stay in non-hotel accommodations in February was 4.7 overnight stays per traveler.
In the first two months of the year, non-hotel overnight stays have tripled compared to the same period of 2021, accounting for a growth of 266.2%.
Sharp Increase in Tourist Apartments Demand
Overnight stays in tourist apartments in Spain increased by 391.1% in February. Stays of residents increased by 122.7% and those of non-residents increased by 724.7%. The average stay length fell by 16.2% in comparison to February 2021 with 5.5 overnight stays per traveler.
In addition, the Tourist Apartment Price Index (IPAP in Spanish) increased by 16.4% in February compared to the same month in 2021.
In February, 31.2% of the bed-places offered by tourist apartments were occupied, 245.5% more than in the same month of 2021. The weekend occupancy rate in terms of bed-places is 35.8%, an increase of 259.1%.
Overnight stays by non-residents in tourist apartments in Spain accounted for 74.9% of the total. The United Kingdom was the main source market, with 718,844 overnight stays. The next largest source market was Germany, with 345,013 overnight stays.
The Canary Islands was the preferred destination for tourists looking for apartments, with more than 1.8 million overnight stays and an increase of 685.2% compared to February 2021. This autonomous community also achieved the highest occupancy rate 73.6%.
In terms of tourist areas, the Island of Tenerife was the preferred destination with 618,139 overnight stays and an occupancy rate of 78.3% of the apartments. The tourist areas with the highest number of overnight stays in February were San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Arona and Tías.
On the other hand, overnight stays in Spanish campsites recorded an increase of 163.9% in February compared to the same month of the previous year. Those of residents increased by 157.3% and those of non-residents increased by 166.7%. The Campsite Price Index (IPAC in Spanish) increased by 3.6% in February compared to the same month of 2021.
During the month of February, 45% of the camp spots offered were occupied, 40.8% more than in the same month of 2021. The weekend occupancy rate for camp spots reached 47.2%, an annual increase of 44.1%.
Non-resident travelers accounted for 71.1% of overnight stays in campsites. Germany was the main source market, with 34.6% of non-resident overnight stays, 225.5% more than in February 2021.
Valencian Community was the preferred destination in campsites with 609,951 overnight stays, representing an increase of 113.8% in the annual rate. This autonomous community also achieved the highest occupancy rate, with 65.6% of the bed places offered.
In terms of Valencian tourist areas, Costa Blanca was the preferred destination with 307,663 overnight stays and an occupancy rate of 82.7% of the bed-places offered. The tourist spots with the highest number of overnight stays were Benidorm, Cartagena and Velez-Malaga.
Occupancy Rate in Rural Tourist Accommodation Up
Overnight stays in rural tourism accommodations had an annual increase of 323.8% in February. Stays of residents increased by 335.6% and those of non-residents increased by 278.2%. The Rural Tourism Price Index (IPTR in Spanish) increased by 3.6% in February compared to the same month in 2021.
In rural tourism accommodations, 12.4% of the bed-places were occupied, 222.4% more than in February 2021. Weekend occupancy was 27.8%, accounting for an annual increase of 363.5%.
By communities, Castilla y León was the preferred destination with 82,289 overnight stays, 527.1% more than in February 2021. The Canary Islands had the highest occupancy rate with 35.7% of the beds available.
By tourist areas, Pirineus was the preferred destination with 29,733 overnight stays. The Corona Forestal National Park had the highest occupancy rate, 44.5% of the bed-places.
Madrid – Preferred Tourist Destinations for Hostels
The Community of Madrid was the preferred destination with 57,414 overnight stays. This autonomous community also achieved the highest occupancy rate, 49.8% of the bed-places offered.
Overnight stays in hostels recorded 237,616 overnight stays in February, an annual increase of 685.1%. Overnight stays by residents increased by 589.8% and those by non-residents increased by 825.2%.
17.7% of the bed-places were occupied, 286.4% more than in February 2021. Weekend occupancy reached 24.9%, an increase of 407.9%.