Non-traditional tourist accommodation in Barcelona province has dropped 9.2% since 2019. The latest Diputació report reveals more than 10,000 properties offering nearly 60,000 places across the region.
Meanwhile, occupancy rates vary significantly. They range from 29.3% to 60.1%, according to the study. The research doesn’t include Barcelona city itself, focusing instead on the surrounding province.
The report, compiled by LABturisme, analysed data from major platforms. These include Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo and Tripadvisor. Apartments make up nearly half of all properties, followed by houses and villas.
Coastal areas dominate the market. Three out of every four properties are located near the sea. However, trends vary considerably across different comarcas in the province.
Barcelonès (excluding the city) and Vallès Occidental saw the biggest increases. They rose 37.3% and 22.8% respectively. In contrast, Berguedà, Osona, Anoia and Garraf experienced the steepest falls.
The Diputació says the growth presents management challenges. Authorities must balance tourist flows with sustainability concerns. LABturisme aims to improve understanding of the sector, hoping to encourage more competitive yet balanced tourism.
The shift in accommodation patterns reflects broader changes in how visitors experience the region. Consequently, local councils are reassessing their tourism strategies. The focus is shifting towards managing impacts whilst maintaining economic benefits.
Join our WhatsApp broadcast channel to get all of the news delivered to you
