In a decisive move, Spain's government has mandated the removal of approximately 66,000 Airbnb listings that allegedly violate tourist accommodation regulations. This crackdown coincides with a resurgence of protests against over-tourism, particularly evident in the Canary Islands, where thousands took to the streets to express their grievances. According to Pablo Bustinduy, the minister for social rights and consumer affairs, these rental properties contravene housing norms, particularly following a court ruling that instructed Airbnb to withdraw 5,800 listings immediately.
Spain Takes Action Against Airbnb Amid Rising Tourism Backlash
Spain Takes Action Against Airbnb Amid Rising Tourism Backlash
The Spanish government is intensifying its regulations on Airbnb, citing concerns over housing shortages driven by tourism.
The properties under scrutiny span across six major regions: Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands. The urgency of this action reflects the growing public outcry over soaring rental prices, which have doubled in the last decade while wages have stagnated, pushing many locals out of their homes. Bustinduy heralded the ruling as a victory for housing rights advocates, emphasizing the need for economic interests to be balanced with residents' needs.
While Spain remains the second most popular tourist destination globally, with a record of 94 million foreign visitors anticipated in 2024, the local housing crisis has prompted calls for more stringent controls on tourist accommodations. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has acknowledged the imbalance between tourist rentals and available housing, pledging to curb the unchecked proliferation of vacation properties.
Municipal authorities have initiated varying approaches to address this issue. For instance, Barcelona intends to phase out its 10,000 short-term rental apartments by 2028. Conversely, some local governments are negotiating compliance agreements with Airbnb to facilitate lawful rentals.
In response to recent rulings, Airbnb plans to contest the decisions, maintaining that accountability for listing accuracy lies with property hosts, not the platform itself. The company argues that the fundamental challenge behind Spain’s housing crisis is insufficient supply to meet demand, and warns that regulating short-term rentals may exacerbate affordability issues for families relying on such income.
The summer of 2022 witnessed widespread protests against the effects of tourism on housing, and as the number of tourists nears 100 million per year, similar unrest is projected to continue this season. Demonstrations, including one organized in the Canary Islands under the banner "Canaries have a limit," reflect ongoing tensions between tourism growth and local housing availability.
While Spain remains the second most popular tourist destination globally, with a record of 94 million foreign visitors anticipated in 2024, the local housing crisis has prompted calls for more stringent controls on tourist accommodations. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has acknowledged the imbalance between tourist rentals and available housing, pledging to curb the unchecked proliferation of vacation properties.
Municipal authorities have initiated varying approaches to address this issue. For instance, Barcelona intends to phase out its 10,000 short-term rental apartments by 2028. Conversely, some local governments are negotiating compliance agreements with Airbnb to facilitate lawful rentals.
In response to recent rulings, Airbnb plans to contest the decisions, maintaining that accountability for listing accuracy lies with property hosts, not the platform itself. The company argues that the fundamental challenge behind Spain’s housing crisis is insufficient supply to meet demand, and warns that regulating short-term rentals may exacerbate affordability issues for families relying on such income.
The summer of 2022 witnessed widespread protests against the effects of tourism on housing, and as the number of tourists nears 100 million per year, similar unrest is projected to continue this season. Demonstrations, including one organized in the Canary Islands under the banner "Canaries have a limit," reflect ongoing tensions between tourism growth and local housing availability.
