site.btaBulgaria Among Countries with Lowest Growth in Overnight Bookings via Online Platforms in Q3 2024

Bulgaria is among the countries with the lowest growth of overnight bookings via online platforms in the third quarter of 2024, Eurostat said on its website on Wednesday. 

During the third quarter of 2024, guests spent 366.2 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the EU, booked via Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or Tripadvisor. This corresponds to an increase of 18% compared with the same period in 2023.

All 3 months in the third quarter of 2024 recorded increases in nights spent in accommodation booked via online platforms. In July 2024, 135 million nights were registered, an increase of 16.4% compared with July 2023. August reported 152.2 million nights booked via platforms (+21.6% compared with August 2023) and September 79 million (+14% compared with September 2023). 

All EU countries saw an increase in the number of nights booked through online platforms in August 2024, the busiest month in tourism in the EU in general. The largest increases were found in Malta (+41.4% compared to August 2023), Germany (+32.7%) and France (+29.9%).

By contrast, the smallest rises were observed in Croatia (+9.7%), Bulgaria (+12.2%) and Slovenia (+13.6%).