Spanish campsites book record year in 2024

Campsites emerge as tourism leaders in Spain

by Lorraine Williamson
Spanish campsites

Campsites were the standout performers in Spain’s tourism sector last year, marking the fastest growth over the past decade and since the pandemic.

Spanish Federation of Campsites (FEEC) reports that 2024 saw a record-breaking 10.2 million travellers and nearly 49.3 million overnight stays. That´s an increase of 3% and 4.2% respectively compared to the previous year.

Domestic and foreign guests

The number of national campers has surged by 41.1% since 2015 and by 14.4% since the pandemic. More notably, the growth in foreign guests has been even more significant, with an increase of 75.4% since 2015 and 41.5% since 2019.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) confirm this trend, showing nearly four million foreign guests in the past year—a 13% rise from 2023. Conversely, the number of Spanish campers slightly declined by 1.8%, totalling 6.3 million.

Compared to 2019, the number of travellers has increased by 23.5%, while overnight stays have risen by 21%.

Average length of stay

Both domestic and international campers are extending their stays. Spaniards spent an average of 4.2 nights per year at campsites, while foreign guests averaged 5.8 nights, particularly during the low season. Overnight stays by Spaniards and international tourists increased by 2.5% and 6.2% respectively.

The appeal of freedom and flexibility

One of the key attractions of Spanish campsite holidays is the freedom and flexibility they offer. Campers have the unique ability to visit multiple areas during their holiday, exploring diverse landscapes from coastal beaches to mountainous regions and rural villages. This mobility allows travellers to experience a variety of local cultures, cuisines, and natural environments all within one trip. The ability to move from one site to another without the constraints of fixed accommodations has contributed to the sector’s growing popularity.

Revenue growth in 2022

A study by EY Spain revealed that campsite revenue reached €1.32 billion in 2022, marking a 26% increase compared to 2019. According to the report, 35% of tourists’ spending goes towards accommodation, while the remaining 65% is spent on catering, local products, tours, and experiences in the surrounding area.

This spending pattern positively impacts other sectors beyond the campsites themselves, benefiting local commerce, restaurants, and recreational and cultural activities, particularly in rural areas, as highlighted by EY Spain.

FEEC response

Ana Beriain, President of the FEEC, celebrated these figures as “recognition of the efforts and hard work of an entire sector that is growing rapidly.” She noted, “Every year, we contribute more significantly to the GDP generated by tourism in our country. With that comes greater responsibility, as we are now the second favourite accommodation choice for Spaniards. We are ambitious and aim to continue growing and improving so that everyone becomes familiar with our sector.”

Future outlook

With consistent growth in both domestic and international camping tourism, Spain’s campsite sector is poised for further expansion. The challenge moving forward will be to sustain this momentum while ensuring quality services and preserving the natural environments that attract millions of campers each year.

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