Asturias has surpassed five million overnight stays for the first time from January to August, marking a new high for the first eight months of the year. Specifically, the region welcomed 2,032,780 visitors during this period, resulting in 5,009,591 overnight stays, which represent increases of 3.06% and 2.51%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Data released today by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) also highlights strong performance in August, when 515,240 tourists visited Asturias, generating 1,581,768 nights of stay. These figures indicate increases of 5.03% and 2.69% compared to the same month in 2025.
'These figures reflect a solid and balanced growth in tourism activity. Not only are visitors and stays increasing, but also business profitability, employment, and the capacity of tourism to create opportunities in rural areas,' commented Gimena Llamedo, Vice President of the Principality.
Among various types of accommodation, rural tourism stood out, receiving 68,155 tourists in August, a 10.97% increase from last year and the highest number recorded for this month. Overnight stays in rural accommodations rose by 13.56%. This trend solidifies rural tourism's position in what is shaping up to be its best year ever. Up to August, these establishments hosted 247,551 tourists and recorded 798,000 overnight stays, reflecting increases of 16.04% and 14.31%, respectively.
Hostels also showed significant growth, with a 37.9% increase in visitors and a 12.05% rise in overnight stays compared to the same month last year.
'Asturias is consolidating a model based on respectful tourism: a type of tourism that boosts the economy, creates jobs, and generates opportunities throughout the region. We aim to continue growing in a balanced way, always prioritizing sustainability and the quality of the experience,' Llamedo emphasized.
International Tourism
The international tourism sector continues to gain importance and is becoming one of the main drivers of growth in the industry. In August, Asturias welcomed 141,163 foreign travelers, a 38.48% increase compared to a year earlier, generating 341,109 overnight stays, an increase of 41.72%. Thus, the international market accounted for 27.4% of tourists and 21.6% of all overnight stays recorded that month.
This trend has persisted throughout the year. From January to August, Asturias received 484,767 international tourists, generating 1,047,853 overnight stays. Both figures represent all-time highs for this sector, with increases of 11.48% and 16.95%, respectively. The international market now represents 23.85% of tourists and 20.92% of total overnight stays accumulated in 2026.
Positive Trends in the Hotel Sector
The favorable trend is also reflected in the profitability of the hotel sector. The average daily rate (ADR) reached €135.09 in August, an 11.46% increase from last year, while the revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at €103.24, growing by 7.86%. Employment in the tourism sector also saw positive developments, with 7,820 people employed in Asturian tourist establishments, reflecting an average increase of 6.48%.
These figures confirm the rise in tourism activity, the increase in foreign visitors, the strength of the rural offering, and the improvement in profitability and employment associated with the sector.
