Spanish Holiday Rental Study 2015: Who’s Booking What and Where

The first quarter of 2015 has seen a 16% year-on-year increase in holiday rentals enquiries on Spain-Holiday.com, with a total of 119,179 enquiries during the period of January-March 2015. British holidaymakers lead the table, making up 31% of the total enquiries (+22% year-on-year).

The figures are encouraging all round, with most nationalities showing a year-on-year increase. French tourists made up 19% of all enquiries (+25%), Dutch holidaymakers were up 24.4%, accounting for 10.6% of total enquiries and Italian enquiries were also up 17% year-on-year. 

In addition, the Scandinavian market maintained a 14.6% enquiry-rate and the national demand for holiday rentals reached 12% of total enquiries. 

Andalusia and Marbella top the charts

So far this year, Andalusia is the number one region for holidaymakers, with Marbella and Nerja topping the destination list. Catalonia and the Valencian Community follow suit in the regional list. With local holiday destinations, Calpe and Barcelona, appearing in the Top 5 holiday destinations. 

Must-have features

A washing machine, terrace and pool reached the Top 3, in the ‘Must-Have’ features in a holiday rental. Beating air conditioning, Wifi and sea-views. Even heating shot up the table, due to holidaymakers booking last-minute winter-spring breaks. 

This quarter we have seen a sharp increase in holidaymakers seeking wheelchair accessible holiday rentals, 16,000 enquiries in total. I recommend you read this article on how to make your holiday rental wheelchair-friendly. 

Holiday themes

Once again, beach holidays are the people’s favourite holiday theme. With family holidays and luxury stays, in second and third place.  

Villas, apartments and… yachts!

Villas remain the most popular type of holiday rental accommodation, which is no surprise as holiday rentals remain the firm favorite for family holidays. Apartments and townhouses sit in second and third place. Holidaymakers looking for a nautic rental have reestablished their second to last place. This might not seem very impressive, but in the first quarter, they received more enquiries than in the first six months of last year. Ahoy, matey!

Check out our interactive infographic to see the full results of the report