In recent years, Spain’s tourism landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Short-term holiday rentals have not only seen exponential growth, but in many urban areas, they now offer more beds than traditional hotels. This shift, driven by digital platforms and a new generation of travellers, presents major opportunities—yet also introduces significant challenges in terms of community relations and accommodation management.
The rise of short term rentals: numbers that speak for themselves
According to figures from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), reported by 20minutos, bookings in holiday rentals rose by 13.9% during the first quarter of 2024, compared to just 1.3% growth in hotels. But beyond the pace of growth, it’s the scale that marks a tipping point:
- In 13 provincial capitals, the capacity of short-term rentals already exceeds that of hotels.
- In cities such as Málaga (60.9%), Alicante (53.5%) and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (55.3%), more than half of all available accommodation is made up of holiday lets.
- In popular coastal areas like Torrevieja, Mijas, Dénia, Jávea and Orihuela, over 60% of beds are in short-term rental properties.
- Across 47 of the 100 most-visited municipalities, at least one third of the market is already dominated by holiday rentals.
Roomonitor: practical solutions for efficient property management
In a context where short-term rentals are expanding faster than regulation can keep pace, Roomonitor stands as a strategic partner for property managers. Our smart device provides real-time monitoring of noise levels, occupancy and indoor air quality, offering essential data to prevent incidents, avoid neighbour complaints and enhance the guest experience — all while fully safeguarding privacy.
Beyond the technology, we deliver round-the-clock support services, ensuring that issues are resolved without the need for direct owner or manager intervention. This allows property professionals to disconnect outside working hours without compromising on control or service standards. Where needed, our team can act remotely or attend on-site to provide an effective response.
This combination of intelligent monitoring and expert support enables property managers to scale their operations sustainably, maintain neighbourly harmony and protect the reputation of the holiday rental sector.
Towards a more sustainable tourism model
As the growth of short-term rentals shows no signs of slowing, technology plays a crucial role in promoting balanced coexistence and safeguarding the industry’s future. At Roomonitor, we’re committed to responsible tourism — using innovation to foster peaceful, high-quality stays that benefit guests, hosts and local communities alike.