- Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy lead the way in using Pitchup.com’s new filter for air-conditioned accommodation.
- More than 4,250 users have utilised this option during its first few weeks of operation.
- One in five campsites in Spain offers some form of air-conditioned accommodation, with nearly 70 per cent of these concentrated in Catalonia and Andalusia.
High temperatures are influencing the way people plan their outdoor holidays. Air conditioning is becoming a key search criterion for those who want to continue enjoying the great outdoors during the warmer months, whilst also valuing the option of a climate-controlled space in which to relax.
This trend is beginning to be reflected in user behaviour. In its first few weeks of operation, 4,250 people have used the new air-conditioning filter introduced by Pitchup.com, the leading platform for outdoor accommodation bookings. Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy are the countries where this search option has been used the most.
The launch coincides with a summer characterised by high temperatures. According to the State Meteorological Agency, June 2026 was the second warmest on record, with temperatures 3.2 °C above average in mainland Spain. Furthermore, it estimates that there is a very high probability that July, August and September 2026 will see temperatures above average throughout Spain.
This scenario is making thermal comfort a key factor in the choice of summer accommodation. Travellers are therefore seeking options that allow them to continue with outdoor activities whilst also having access to spaces adapted for the hottest parts of the day.
One in five campsites offers air-conditioned options
The range of accommodation available in Spain is beginning to reflect this change. Of the 245 campsites listed on Pitchup.com, 49 offer some form of air-conditioned accommodation, which equates to approximately one in five sites.
Furthermore, availability is heavily concentrated in certain regions. Catalonia, with 20 sites, and Andalusia, with 14, account for nearly 70 per cent of campsites with air-conditioned options in Spain.
Adapting to the heat does not necessarily mean giving up outdoor holidays. Rather, it is about combining outdoor living with spaces designed for rest when temperatures are at their highest. In fact, almost nine out of ten Spanish campsites with air-conditioned accommodation also have an outdoor swimming pool.
The emergence of air conditioning as a search criterion thus points to an evolution in this type of tourism. Interest in nature and outdoor activities remains strong, but the importance of having solutions that allow holidaymakers to cope with heatwaves more comfortably is on the rise.
About Pitchup.com
Pitchup.com is Europe’s leading platform for booking outdoor accommodation, operating in 67 countries and available in 17 languages and 22 currencies. Since its foundation in 2009, it has accumulated 7 million bookings and recorded 63 million annual visits worldwide.
This year, it has entered the list of the world’s 50 largest online travel agencies by organic traffic, ranking 6th in Europe and 36th internationally. In 2025, it was recognised by the Financial Times as one of the “Long-term growth champions” (ranked 11th in e-commerce) and received the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the sixth consecutive year, which recognises excellence in customer experience.
Source: Pitchup.com