Vitur continues to consolidate itself as a benchmark forum in the sector thanks to its ability to promote a real dialogue between public institutions, investors, operators and destinations, around one of the fastest growing segments at the intersection between tourism and real estate investment.
Within the framework of FITUR, Vitur has shared the main strategic lines of its agenda for 2026, including the next edition of Vitur Summit 2026, to be held on 13 and 14 May in Malaga, as well as the meetings Vitur Forum Madrid, scheduled for 1 October, and Vitur Forum Seville, which will take place on 26 November.
These meetings will focus on the challenges, opportunities and trends that are defining the evolution of flexible accommodation in Europe and Spain, in a context marked by the transformation of tourism and residential models, labour mobility and the growth of short and medium-term stays.
Spain and Andalusia consolidate their tourist leadership in Europe.
Between July and September 2025, a total of 398.1 million visitors stayed in tourist accommodation in Europe, an increase of 9% compared to the same quarter in 2024, according to Eurostat data. This growth remains a sustained trend since 2018 and has accelerated especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Spain, which has closed 2025 with a tourism contribution of close to 260 billion euros (around 16% of GDP), reaffirms its weight in the European panorama as the second European destination with the highest volume of visitors staying in flex types, only behind France. In addition, it consistently accounts for 211 ppt3T of overnight stays in the EU.
In 2024, Spain exceeded 170 million nights in tourist accommodation. Consolidated data to date for 2025 already reflect an increase of 8.7% between January and September. In fact, among the 20 most demanded destinations in Europe, six are Spanish: Andalusia, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid and Balearic Islands.
In this context, Andalusia stands out resoundingly. It represents nearly 65% of the short-stay offer in Spain and was in 2024 the most demanded region in Europe in flexible accommodation, with more than 44 million overnight stays, ahead of the French Côte d'Azur and Jadranska (Croatia). Pending the publication of official figures, everything points to Andalusia being, for the second consecutive year, the most popular destination.
In this context, Andalusia stands out in a particularly significant way. The region concentrates around 65% of the short-stay offer in Spain and was in 2024 the most demanded European destination in flexible accommodation, with more than 44 million overnight stays, ahead of the French Côte d'Azur and Jadranska (Croatia). Pending the publication of the official figures, everything points to Andalusia repeating its leadership for the second consecutive year.
Flexible Accommodation: a key segment to boost investment and professionalisation.
Flexible accommodation is consolidating its position as one of the most dynamic categories in the European real estate market, with special emphasis on formats such as flex buildings, villas, tourist flats with services and branded residences or senior living, which are increasingly present in investment and development strategies, especially in the luxury segment.
Investment continues to dynamically adjust to demand. The volume of beds in flex buildings has increased fivefold since 2020 and is expected to triple by 2028, reaching close to 35,000 beds. For villas, the expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to 2031 is 14.4%.
At the same time, branded residences are gaining traction in the Euro-Mediterranean environment, with Spain among the most active markets and with growth particularly concentrated in the Costa del Sol, followed by the Canary Islands, Madrid and Ibiza, largely developed by international luxury hotel companies. In fact, in Spain alone there are already 42 developments with around 2,100 units and a value of approximately 3.5 billion euros. Malaga is the star destination, with around 50% of projects and 60% of units, making the Costa del Sol the leader in branded living in southern Europe, according to the Branded Residence Monitor.
This growth is supported by a high economic impact visitor profile, with average stays of between 4 and 6 nights, which can extend up to three months in the case of corporate accommodation.
According to Vitur's analysis, short and medium stays are consolidating as a structural change in the tourism model, driven by factors such as teleworking, labour mobility, the search for quality of life and the diversification of travel motives. This evolution contributes to greater seasonal stability, to the professionalisation of the sector and to a more sophisticated and scalable offer, reinforcing the attractiveness of flexible accommodation for institutional capital.
About Vitur
Vitur is the benchmark business forum for Flexible Accommodation, a high-level space that brings together investors, operators, experts, sector associations, destinations and public administrations to analyse the evolution of the sector, anticipate trends and promote sustainable and integrated development of the different accommodation models.
The Vitur Summit 2026 edition will focus on analysing the typologies and the evolution of supply and demand; delving into the new regulatory changes affecting the sector; assessing sustainable, balanced models adapted to the new demands of travellers, temporary residents and citizens.
Vitur Summit will be a summit with a high-level agenda and networking designed for decision makers, key to generate vision, knowledge and business opportunities.
