Overnight stays showed strong momentum in the hotel sector during October, with an 8.7% year-over-year rise in the number of hotel businesses. The average rate per occupied room reached 109.9 euros, contributing to nearly 32.5 million room nights for the month. This figure surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 6.4% and was 28.1% higher than in 2019, signaling a robust rebound in demand across Spain’s hotel market.
For the January–October period, overnight stays grew by 6.5% compared to the same span last year, again outpacing the total for the first ten months of 2019. This sustained growth underscores a solid recovery in travel activity through the autumn season and into the close of the year for many hotel operators.
Hotel stays by residents of Spain accounted for 29.8% of total bookings, roughly 9.7 million guests, while international travelers represented 70.2%, exceeding 20 million stays. The mix highlights the continued importance of inbound tourism alongside domestic demand in driving occupancy.
Compared with October 2022, the average length of stay rose by 1.7% to 3.1 nights per traveler, while occupancy advanced by 4.9% to 60.7% — with the Canary Islands leading at 75.1% and the Balearic Islands at 65.6%. Weekend occupancy reached 66.7%, climbing by 5.3%, reflecting a rebound in leisure travel and short breaks.
Price increases intensified again
Hotel room rates rose by 9.5% in October, a pace that was 2.2 percentage points slower than a year earlier but still 1.2 points faster than the preceding month, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
After a peak-driven climb that started last June, the year-over-year rate slowed to 6.2% with an 8% annual increase, then ticked higher again in September. The latest data show renewed price gains alongside continued demand in key markets, hinting at resilient pricing power among hotels.
Looking regionally, Madrid posted the largest October price increase at 16.1% year over year, while Extremadura reported the smallest rise at 1.4%. Among hotel categories, the three-star segment saw the strongest uplift with a 12.9% gain, reflecting steady demand for mid-range accommodations.
The industry’s daily revenue per occupied room (ADR) averaged 109.9 euros in October, up 10.3% from October of the previous year and 28.1% above 2019 levels. The revenue per available room (RevPAR), adjusted for occupancy, reached 76.6 euros, up 15.8% year over year and 34% above 2019 figures.
In terms of category performance, five-star hotels averaged 254.9 euros per room, four-star properties 111.9 euros, and three-star properties 88.7 euros. Revenue per available room for these categories stood at 184.2 euros, 86.5 euros, and 60.7 euros respectively, illustrating varying profitability across market tiers.
Marbella led destinations with the highest ADR at 190.2 euros per occupied room, while Barcelona offered the strongest RevPAR at 165.6 euros, highlighting contrasting strengths in pricing vs. occupancy across prime tourist locales.
Overnight stays in England exceed pre-Covid levels
English and German visitors remained the dominant source markets for foreign stays in October, together accounting for close to half of all foreign overnight visits. English visitors represented 26.4% of total overnight stays, totaling over 6 million, which is about 6.1% higher than pre-pandemic levels. German visitors accounted for about 20% of the total, roughly 4.6 million stays, though this figure sits about 3% below 2019.
Other export markets contributing to the mix included France, the United States, and the Netherlands, with shares of 8.1%, 4.6%, and 4.4% respectively.
The Balearic Islands remained the leading destination for foreign tourists, capturing 26.1% of foreign overnight stays, followed by the Canary Islands at 24% and Catalonia at 17.4%. Among domestic travelers, Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community were the top destinations, accounting for 18.8%, 12.9%, and 11.4% of Spaniards’ overnight stays in October.