Spain’s non-hotel tourism sector closed 2025 on a strong note, recording its highest-ever level of overnight stays, supported mainly by rising international travel.
According to provisional data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), overnight stays in non-hotel tourist accommodation reached 146.3 million in 2025, up 3.0% from the previous year.
Non-hotel accommodation includes tourist apartments, campsites, rural tourism properties, and hostels, a segment that has continued to expand as travelers seek longer stays, flexible lodging, and alternative travel experiences.
In December 2025, overnight stays in non-hotel accommodation exceeded 7.2 million, an increase of 4.4% compared with December 2024. Growth during the month was uneven between domestic and international travelers.
Overnight stays by Spanish residents declined by 2.3%, while stays by non-residents increased by 8.3%, confirming that foreign demand was the main driver of growth at year-end.
The average length of stay stood at 4.3 nights per traveler, highlighting the preference for extended stays in non-hotel properties.
Tourist Apartments Lead Growth
Tourist apartments remained the dominant accommodation type throughout 2025, accounting for 52.1% of all non-hotel overnight stays.
- Overnight stays in apartments increased 5.9% for the year.
- Stays by non-residents rose 6.8%, outpacing domestic growth.
- The Canary Islands emerged as the leading destination, with 28.6 million overnight stays, up 10.9% year-on-year.
International visitors continued to shape demand patterns. The United Kingdom remained the largest source market, representing 30.4% of total apartment stays in 2025. High occupancy rates in destinations such as Gran Canaria and Tenerife reinforced the Canary Islands’ position as Spain’s strongest non-hotel tourism hub.
Campsites Show Steady but Moderate Growth
Campsites accounted for 34.0% of total non-hotel overnight stays in 2025. Annual overnight stays increased 1.4%, supported by both resident and non-resident travelers.
- Catalonia led campsite demand with 21.1 million overnight stays, up 4.5% from 2024.
- Germany was the main international source market, accounting for 24.3% of foreign stays.
While growth was more moderate compared to tourist apartments, campsites continued to benefit from strong international interest, particularly in coastal regions.
Rural Tourism Records Modest Gains
Rural tourism accommodation represented 8.8% of non-hotel overnight stays in 2025. Annual stays rose 1.2%, reflecting stable but limited growth.
- Domestic stays increased 0.9%
- International stays rose 1.9%
- Castilla y León remained the most popular rural destination with 1.8 million overnight stays, despite a year-on-year decline
Although demand remained steady, rural tourism growth lagged behind apartments and campsites, suggesting more selective traveler interest and higher sensitivity to pricing and seasonality.
Hostels Continue to Lose Ground
Hostels were the weakest-performing segment in 2025, accounting for just 5.1% of total non-hotel stays.
- Overnight stays fell 9.6% for the year
- Declines were seen among both residents and non-residents
- The Community of Madrid remained the top hostel destination with 1.1 million overnight stays
The data points to a continued shift away from hostels, particularly among domestic travelers, as tourists increasingly opt for private or semi-private accommodation options.
Price Trends Show Rising Costs in Rural and Campsite Segments
Accommodation prices showed mixed movements across segments:
- Tourist apartment prices rose 3.4% on average in 2025
- Campsite prices increased 4.9%
- Rural tourism prices recorded the highest rise at 8.8%
In December alone, apartment prices dipped slightly year-on-year, while campsite and rural tourism prices continued to increase. The sharper rise in rural accommodation prices may partly explain the slower growth in that segment.
What the Data Shows
The 2025 results highlight a clear pattern:
- International travelers are the main growth engine for non-hotel tourism
- Tourist apartments dominate demand, especially in island destinations
- Hostels are losing relevance, while flexible accommodation gains ground
- Price increases are becoming more visible, particularly outside urban areas
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri
