The Canary Islands were once again the favourite destination for accommodation in tourist flats in July, despite registering a year-on-year fall of 5.1%, to 2.1 million overnight stays.
On the other hand, overnight stays in Spanish non-hotel tourist accommodation (flats, campsites, rural tourism accommodation and hostels) increased by 5.6% in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period the previous year.
Moreover, they are 6.3% higher than those recorded in the same period of 2019, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) made public on Wednesday.
The average stay stood at 4.5 overnight stays per traveller, according to the survey of occupancy in non-hotel tourist accommodation of the Spanish national statistics institute.
Last July a total of 21.3 million overnight stays were made in Spanish extra-hotel accommodation, which represents a decrease of 2.2% compared to the same month in 2022. Those made by residents fell by 3.9% while those made by non-residents fell by 0.4%.
Of the more than 21 million overnight stays made, 10.9 million were made by residents in Spain, 6.7 million came from the European Union and 3.5 million from the rest of the world.
With regard to prices, the Tourist Apartments Price Index (IPAP) rose by 6.8% in July compared to the same month in 2022, the Campsites Price Index (IPAC) by 7.4%, and the Rural Tourism Price Index (IPTR) by 4.4%.
HOLIDAY APARTMENTS DOWN BY 5.1%
Overnight stays in Spanish tourist flats fell by 5.1% last July compared to the same month in 2022. Those made by residents fell by 2.7% and those made by non-residents by 6.7%.
The average stay in these accommodations fell by 3%, standing at 5.4 overnight stays per traveller, according to data from the statistical institute, which shows that 48% of the places offered were occupied in July, 6.8% less than in 2022.
Foreigners accounted for 69.5% of the total number of overnight stays in Spanish flats, with the United Kingdom being the main source market, followed by France.
The Canary Islands was the favourite destination for staying in flats in Spain, receiving a total of 2.1 million overnight stays, which represents a decrease of 5.1% compared to July 2022. The Balearic Islands recorded the highest occupancy, with 88.2% of the flats on offer.
By tourist areas, the Costa Blanca was the preferred destination, with more than 1.3 million overnight stays. The island of Majorca had the highest occupancy rate, with 89% of the flats on offer. The tourist spots with the highest number of overnight stays in July were San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Arona and Benidorm.
As far as campsites are concerned, these registered a slight increase of 0.8% in July, with differences by nationality, so that while those of residents fell by 2.6%, those of non-residents increased by 6.1%.
During July, 51.2% of the plots on offer were occupied, 0.6% less than in the same month of 2022. The weekend occupancy rate reached 54.9%, with an annual decrease of 0.1%.
Non-resident travellers accounted for 41.1% of overnight stays on campsites. The Netherlands was the main outbound market, with 29.9% of the total number of non-residents, 9% more than in July 2022.
Catalonia was the preferred destination in campsites, with more than 4.2 million overnight stays, representing an increase of 1% in annual rate. The Basque Country reached the highest occupancy rate, with 69.1% of the pitches on offer.
By tourist area, the Costa Brava was the most popular destination, with more than 2 million overnight stays. The Costa Blanca (Alicante) had the highest occupancy rate, with 72.8% of the plots on offer. The tourist spots with the highest number of overnight stays were Torroella de Montgrí, Mont-Roig del Camp and Tarragona.
RURAL TOURISM DOWN BY 3.6%
Rural tourism accommodation also recorded a drop in the number of overnight stays in July, falling by 3.6%. Overnight stays by residents fell by 8.8%, while those by non-residents grew by 10%.
Rural tourism accommodation occupied 31.3% of the bedplaces, 5.6% less than in July 2022. The weekend occupancy rate stood at 43%, with an annual decrease of 2.7%.
By region, the Balearic Islands were the favourite destination for rural accommodation in Spain, receiving 225,909 overnight stays, the same level as in July 2022. It also reached the highest occupancy rate, with 67.7% of the bedplaces offered.
By tourist areas, the Island of Majorca was the preferred destination, with 182,382 overnight stays. The island of Menorca reached the highest occupancy rate, with 75% of the bedplaces offered.
In terms of hostels, more than 1.1 million overnight stays were recorded in this type of accommodation in July, representing an annual increase of 1.8%. Overnight stays by residents decreased by 10.9%, while those by non-residents increased by 26.2%.
43% of bedplaces were occupied, 5.8% less than in July 2022. Weekend occupancy reached 42.2%, a decrease of 6.6%.
Galicia was the preferred destination, with 244,827 overnight stays, while Cantabria reached the highest occupancy, with 71.3% of the bedplaces offered, according to data from the Statistical Institute.
