December is expected to be a “hot” month for short-term rentals in Athens. According to AirDNA data, demand for the Greek capital is up 31% over the same month last year. This figure puts Athens in 6th place on the list of top destinations in Europe. The list, of course, is dominated by the classic Christmas holiday destinations.
AirDNA also provided data on the performance of short-term rentals in Europe in September.
Greece recorded a 6.6% increase in occupancy in September 2024, compared to the same month in 2023. Occupancy growth wasn’t exclusive to Greece, in fact AirDNA highlights that several European countries increased occupany due to the extended tourist season they experienced. The data shows that Croatia saw an increase of 8.8%, Spain 6.9% and Portugal 4.3%.
Overall, short-term rental performance in Europe in September 2024 shows that:
** Total overnight demand across the European continent this was 45 million. That figure is down 30% from August’s highs, but up 17.3% from September 2023.
** Available listings last month totaled 3.9 million, down just 3% from August and up 12.2% year over year.
** Relatively strong demand in September helped maintain positive occupancy growth. Average occupancy reached 55%, up 1.5% year-on-year.
** The Average Daily Rate (ADR) also increased by 9% year-on-year, reaching an average of €164. As a result, European hosts earned an average of €90 per available rental night in September 2024, a remarkable 10.7% year-on-year increase.
Asia slower to bounce back
According to Airbnb data for the second quarter of the year:
** Travelers from North America to Europe made up 16% of all Airbnb trips in Europe in the 2nd quarter of 2024, compared to 15% in the second quarter of 2019.
** Travelers from Asia, who represent the second largest group of foreign visitors to Europe, have not fully returned since the pandemic. In the second quarter of 2019, travelers from Asia accounted for 5% of all Airbnb stays in Europe, but this fell to just 3.4% in the second quarter of this year.
Christmas demand
As the holidays approach, it’s important for hosts to monitor demand trends. Understanding when demand peaks around Christmas and New Year can help operators optimize their pricing strategy.
Last year, demand started to increase in the weekend before Christmas. Demand continued to rise before peaking on New Year’s Eve, which fell on a Sunday. Demand began to decline after New Year’s Eve, but remained high until January 4.
This year, despite Christmas falling on a Wednesday instead of a Monday, current demand for bookings shows an increase over the weekend before Christmas. Like last year, demand peaks between the weekend before Christmas and New Year. It remains high until a few days after New Year’s Eve.
The top in demand destinations in December:
Athens is in high demand this Christmas with 31%, here’s a look at the other top European destinations with the highest demand in December:
Rovaniemi, Finland +90%
Basel, Switzerland +53%
Krakow, Poland +50%
Budapest, Hungary +45%
Prague, Czech Republic +33%
Athens, Greece +31%
Strasbourg, France +29%
Metz, France +25%
Madrid, Spain +23%
Colmar, France +23%
Paris, France +23%
London, United Kingdom +18%
Dresden, Denmark +18%
Salzburg, Austria +16%
Vienna, Austria +15%
