Overview of Spain’s Tourism Landscape in 2022
In 2022, overnight stays by travelers residing in Spain reached a substantial level, accounting for roughly 34.6% of the total with more than 12.1 million stays. Non-resident travelers totaled over 23 million overnight stays, reflecting the country’s continued appeal to international visitors.
The average length of stay rose significantly, increasing by 27.3 percent compared with June 2021. On average, each traveler stayed 3.2 nights, signaling a steady rebound in travel demand and longer visits by guests.
During the first half of 2022, overnight stays surged by 285.5 percent compared with the same period the previous year, underscoring a rapid recovery in the tourism sector as travel restrictions eased.
INE data highlights that the first six months of 2022 saw a dramatic year-over-year rise in overnight stays across Spain, marking a strong comeback from the prior year’s disruptions.
Regional hotspots in Spain included Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community, which together accounted for 21.9%, 16.9%, and 13.1% of total overnight stays among residents of Spain, illustrating the varied appeal of these regions.
For non-residents, the Balearic Islands were the top destination with 35.6% of all overnight stays. Canary Islands and Catalonia followed, comprising 18.9% and 17.5% of the total stays by non-residents respectively.
Hotel occupancy in June showed a strong performance, with 62.9% of available rooms occupied, marking an annual increase of 68%. Weekend occupancy rose even more, up 45.6% to reach 70.4% occupancy, reflecting higher demand during leisure periods.
According to INE data, the Balearic Islands led in dormitory occupancy during June at about 80%, with the Canary Islands close behind at 67.4% occupancy.
When looking at touristic regions, the Island of Menorca posted the highest bed occupancy rate at 80.3%, while Palma de Mallorca and Calvià boasted weekend occupancy rates of 85.5%. June saw Isla de Mallorca report the highest total number of overnight stays, reaching 6,706,689.
Barcelona, Madrid, and Calvià were among the most visited destinations by overnight stays, while Santanyí achieved the highest dormitory occupancy rate at 91.8% and the peak weekend occupancy rate at 96.4% for dormitories, highlighting strong performance in both midweek and weekend periods.
Travelers from the United Kingdom and Germany represented 29.9% and 20.6% of total overnight stays by non-residents in June, respectively. Additional shares came from France, the United States, and the Netherlands, at 7.1%, 4.4%, and 4.3% respectively, illustrating the broad international mix of visitors.
Prices and Revenue Trends
On the pricing front, the Hotel Price Index (HPI) registered a 20.6% year-over-year increase in June. This marked an 11.8-point rise from June 2021 and was 1.5 points lower than the previous month, signaling a strong, still-evolving price dynamic in the hotel market.
Among autonomous communities, the largest price increases since June 2021 were observed in the Community of Madrid (50.2%) and the Basque Country (38.8%). Conversely, Ceuta showed the smallest rise at 7.4% for the same period.
Within hotel categories, the most pronounced price growth occurred in five-star establishments, where pricing climbed by 31.8% year over year.
INE data also covers the average daily rate (ADR) for occupied rooms, which stood at €105.7 in June, up 23.3% from June 2021. The revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by 102.6% to €74.2, reflecting stronger occupancy and pricing power across the market.
Examining category-specific earnings, five-star hotels reported an average daily revenue of €247.4 per room, four-star hotels €111.2, and three-star hotels €84.5. Corresponding revenue per available room stood at €175.6, €85.1, and €61.0 respectively, showcasing how luxury segments contributed to overall profitability.
The destination with the highest ADR was Marbella, recording an average daily rate of €217.7 per occupied room and also topping RevPAR at €160.3 per available room, signaling premium demand in this coastal hotspot.
Overall, Spain continued to show resilience and a robust rebound in tourism metrics in the first half of 2022, driven by strong international demand, favorable pricing dynamics, and regional variations that reflect the country’s diverse tourism offering.