Barcelona will ban holiday apartments by 2028
More than 10,000 tourist rentals in the Spanish city will have their licences revoked
In a shocking move, Barcelona has announced plans to ban private apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, taking a stand against soaring housing prices and aiming to restore the city's liveability for its residents. This unprecedented decision, unveiled on Friday June 21, sends a powerful message about the future of tourism in one of Spain's top destinations.
For years, Barcelona has grappled with the challenges of over-tourism, and the impact on housing has been profound. With a 70% rise in rent prices and a 40% surge in housing costs over the last decade, the city has reached a tipping point. The ban on holiday apartment rentals aims to curb this runaway market and bring much-needed relief to locals.
The upcoming ban is the culmination of efforts initiated by former Mayor Ada Colau, whose urban development plan restricted new hotels to the city's outskirts. Now, current Mayor Jaume Collboni is taking it a step further, revoking the licences of more than 10,000 vacation rentals by November 2028.
This controversial decision has sparked debate and is expected to face legal challenges. The Popular Party (PP) has already appealed to the Constitutional Court, and the employers' association Apartur is considering taking the matter to the European Court of Justice.
This latest debate underscores the tension between Spain's tourism industry and the need for sustainable growth, and will likely serve to fan the flames of unrest seen in other parts of the country.
The movement to limit holiday rentals is not unique to Barcelona, and it reflects a broader trend across popular tourist destinations in Spain. Several other regions, including parts of Andalucia, Mallorca and the Canary Islands are considering or have already implemented restrictions on holiday lets to address similar issues of over-tourism and its impact on local communities.
In other news: British woman stabs herself at Ibiza airport
Image: Archive
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