In the world of tourism and holiday accommodation, there tends to be confusion between the terms holiday home and tourist accommodation. At first glance, they may seem like synonyms, but really there are significant differences between the two concepts. Whether you are a traveller looking for accommodation or a property owner looking to rent out your property, you must be aware of the differences.
Understanding these differences not only helps you make better decisions but also allows you to make the most of the advantages and opportunities that each type of accommodation offers. Considering aspects such as the applicable legal regulations, the services and amenities required, as well as guests' expectations and needs, is essential.
In this article, we will break down the main characteristics of holiday homes and tourist accommodation and explain the differences.
What is a holiday home?
A holiday home is a privately owned property rented to tourists for short stays. This accommodation type is very common on online booking platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. Holiday homes offer travellers a more personal and authentic experience, allowing them to live like a local person in a residential environment.
It is important to note that holiday homes are subject to licences managed by local councils and the relevant region. This means that in order to be able to rent out their property as a holiday home, the owner must comply with a number of local requirements and regulations. Holiday homes are registered as residential units, which can have tax and other legal implications.
What is tourist accommodation?
Tourist accommodation is a property is designed and intended specifically for tourist use. Unlike holiday homes, tourist accommodation is usually located in buildings or complexes dedicated exclusively to renting to tourists, which gives them a more hotel-like atmosphere.
Tourist accommodation must comply with specific requirements set by local regulations, such as having an identification plaque and meeting certain quality and safety standards. In terms of classification, tourist accommodation is categorised in a similar way to hotels, with stars indicating the quality and comfort level they offer. This can be useful for travellers when choosing the accommodation that best suits their needs and expectations.
The differences between a holiday home and tourist accommodation
Although they may appear similar at first glance, there are key differences between holiday homes and tourist accommodation:
- Ownership: Holiday homes are usually owned by individuals who decide to rent them out at certain times of the year, while tourist accommodation is professionally managed by companies or entities dedicated to the tourism sector.
- Regulation: As we have already mentioned, holiday homes require local and regional licences to be rented out, while tourist accommodation must comply with stricter requirements, similar to those of hotels, as they have the same status as this type of establishment.
- Duration of stay: In general, holiday homes are rented for a maximum period of 30 days, while tourist accommodation can be rented for longer periods, depending on local regulations and the establishment's policies.
- Classification and type of use: Holiday homes are residential units, which are rented occasionally, while tourist accommodation is designed and intended exclusively to accommodate tourists, i.e. it has a purely commercial purpose.
Rules and regulations for tourist accommodation and holiday homes
As for rules and regulations, there are considerable differences between tourist accommodation and holiday homes. Both concepts are regulated the Autonomous Community, so they can vary depending on where the property is located. Here are some of the most relevant aspects:
- Licences and registers: Both holiday homes and tourist accommodation must be registered in the corresponding tourist registers. However, holiday homes require specific licences granted by local councils or Autonomous Communities.
- Definitions and legal status: Tourist accommodation is subject to regulations similar to those of hotels, which implies stricter requirements for services and facilities. On the other hand, holiday homes have a unique legal status that sets them apart from other tourist accommodation.
- Specific requirements: The facilities and services in tourist accommodation must comply with stricter regulations than holiday homes, which have more flexible requirements.
- Duration of contract: Holiday homes are generally rented for a maximum of 30 days, while tourist accommodation does not have a minimum limit and can be rented for longer.
- Number of beds: Tourist accommodation usually offers more beds than holiday homes, making it a more suitable for large groups or families. In principle, holiday homes cannot offer more than 10–15 beds.
- Facilities: Holiday homes usually have more flexible requirements than tourist accommodation, which must meet certain quality and comfort standards.
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