More foreign visitors to the Faroe Islands stay in Airbnb than in guesthouses

More foreign tourists visiting the Faroe Islands now choose short-term rentals like Airbnb over traditional guesthouses, according to new figures from Hagstovan, the Faroese statistics agency.

In 2024, around 1,200 short-term rental properties were listed in the Faroe Islands, with 93% being residential homes, apartments, or summerhouses. The remaining 7% included newly built units and mobile homes. Nearly half (45%) of these properties were available for short-term rental year-round, while the rest were rented out intermittently.

Foreign visitors dominated short-term rentals, accounting for 94% of guests, compared to 62% in guesthouses. The revenue from short-term rentals reached 152 million DKK in 2024, representing 12% of total spending by foreign tourists.

Despite the popularity of short-term rentals, guesthouses still saw significant use when combined with other accommodation types, Hagstovan noted.