Clúster

• International tourism drove growth in the region, highlighting the increase in tourist apartments and rural accommodation.

In July 2024, Galicia consolidated itself as the most prominent tourist destination in northern Spain and was positioned in seventh place nationally, according to data revealed by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Throughout the month, visitors accumulated more than 2 million overnight stays in a wide range of accommodation establishments, marking a milestone by remaining above pre-pandemic occupancy levels for the third consecutive year.

In the analysis of tourist behavior during July, the hotel segment accounted for most of the demand, with 62% of overnight stays. Hotels represented 50% of this total, while pensions captured 12%. The remaining 38% corresponded to non-hotel accommodation, with campsites standing out as the most popular option, absorbing 18% of overnight stays. Tourist apartments, rural accommodation and hostels complete the picture with 7%, 3% and 10% of the demand, respectively.

International tourism had a positive performance in Galicia, exceeding the previous year’s figures in almost all accommodation categories. Hotels experienced a 5.3% increase in occupied nights, guest houses 3.1%, and campsites 1.9%. Notably, tourist apartments and rural accommodation saw increases of 13.4% and 11.6%, respectively, evidencing a growing preference for accommodation options that offer greater independence and connection to nature.

Galicia continues to demonstrate its attractiveness as a tourist destination, both for the national and international markets, consolidating itself as a benchmark in the tourism sector in northern Spain and maintaining its position among the main destinations in the entire country. With these figures, the Galician community not only confirms its post-pandemic recovery, but also reinforces its key role in the Spanish tourism industry.