Online accommodation stays rise 5.3% across the European Union

Saturday 03 October 2026 - 11:05

By: Azzat Manal

Online accommodation stays rise 5.3% across the European Union

The number of nights spent in short-term accommodation booked through online platforms across the European Union increased by 5.3% in the second quarter of 2026, reaching 258.8 million nights, according to Eurostat.

Between April and June, travelers spent 258.8 million nights in accommodation units reserved through major online platforms, representing an increase of 13.1 million nights compared with the same period in 2025.

The figure also marked a significant increase compared with the second quarter of 2024, when the number of nights booked through online platforms was about 23.9% lower, equivalent to roughly 50 million fewer nights.

The latest figures highlight the continued importance of digital booking platforms to Europe's tourism sector, particularly for short-term rentals and alternative accommodation. Online reservations have become an increasingly important part of travel demand, alongside traditional hotels and other forms of tourist accommodation.

Portugal also recorded strong demand for platform-based short-term stays. During the first quarter of 2026, the Lisbon metropolitan area and Tagus Valley registered around 1.98 million nights, while the Algarve recorded approximately 1.24 million nights.

At the European regional level, the Canary Islands and the Rhône-Alpes region of France were among the most popular destinations for short-term accommodation booked online between January and March, with around 8.8 million nights each. Andalusia in Spain followed with approximately 8.3 million nights.

The growth in platform-based accommodation comes as European tourism continues to benefit from sustained travel demand, while online booking services provide travelers with a wider range of short-term rental options across cities, coastal destinations and rural areas.