The popularity of unusual accommodation is well established, with the segment expanding rapidly in recent years in response to growing demand. This offer responds to the need for unique and differentiated experiences advocated by travellers from all over the world. Whether it is spending a night in a cabin in the middle of a forest, in a bubble on top of a mountain or simply in a themed accommodation, there is something for all tastes and budgets. Nevertheless, the legal framework seems to be tightening the noose around the expansion of this offer in France. Will we soon see a similar phenomenon on an international scale?
A steadily growing market
The unusual accommodation market has been growing rapidly in recent years with the constant arrival of new entrants. An offer that responds to the most fanciful desires of international travellers and above all meets the need for experiential offers. This trend is so strong that the Cabinet Alliances and AbracadaRoom have together created the Observatoire de l'Insolite to monitor the development of this market.
Thus, the offer on the French territory has strongly increased since 2019, the last year of reference for the AbracadaRoom and Alliances Observatory. Indeed, France now counts 1,677 unusual accommodation estates, an increase of 86% compared to 2019 and 6,012 modules, an increase of 72% compared to 2019. Overall, France has 22,238 beds belonging to this market, a 70% growth compared to 2019.
Cabins, whether in the trees, on stilts, on the ground, floating or troglodytic, remain the most represented category with 44% of the offer. Bubbles are also among the most popular accommodations with 16% of total reservations at AbracadaRoom. Finally, tiny houses are gaining in popularity with a growth of about 450% on the AbracadaRoom website.
During this year, a survey was conducted to better identify the customers of this market. The first data show that customers travel an average of 252 km, with an average budget of almost 250 euros for an average stay of 1.47 nights. Moreover, more than 80% of them are couples who want to have new and memorable experiences together.
The market is therefore doing very well and is growing in terms of both supply and demand. Nevertheless, this trend could well change next year as new environmental regulations are to be applied to some of the unusual accommodation on campsites. And according to the National Federation of Outdoor Accommodation (FNHPA), this decision would lead...
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