Málaga also protests against mass tourism
In Malaga, Spain, there are reportedly over 12,000 legally registered vacation rentals, making it the third most popular destination in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. In addition, many unregistered vacation rentals for tourists are being operated illegally in Malaga and other places. "The situation is unbearable. It's impossible to buy a house," said demonstrator Maria Franco to "El Pais." Engineer Sonia Raya told the paper that she had recently seen a garage in Malaga offered as a living space for a monthly rent of 600 Euros.
Barcelona announced last week that it would ban the rental of vacation homes to tourists in an effort to address the housing shortage and high rents. By November 2028, the licenses for over 10,000 vacation rentals that have been legally authorized for short-term rentals will be revoked, according to Mayor Jaume Collboni. "We are facing the biggest problem Barcelona has," he declared. In the past ten years, rents have risen by 68%, and the cost of buying a house has increased by 38%. The apartments will be used by city residents after the ban, or they will be put back on the market for rent or sale. Spain is the second most popular vacation destination in the world, with 85 million foreign tourists reported last year.
Protests against excessive tourism have been growing in Spain, from the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands to Barcelona and Malaga. Among the concerns raised by residents are the pressured housing market, the increase in the rental of vacation homes, which has forced many residents to leave city centers, as well as noise and environmental pollution.
A Garage as a Living Space for 600 Euros
In Malaga, Spain, there are approximately 12,000 legally registered vacation rentals. Additionally, many unregistered vacation rentals for tourists are being operated illegally in Malaga and other places. "The situation is untenable. It's impossible to buy a house," said demonstrator Maria Franco to "El Pais." Engineer Sonia Raya told the paper that she had recently seen a garage in Malaga being offered as a living space for a monthly rent of 600 Euros.
Barcelona announced last week that it would ban the rental of vacation homes to tourists in an attempt to address the housing shortage and high rents. By November 2028, the licenses for over 10,000 vacation rentals that have been legally authorized for short-term rentals will be revoked, according to Mayor Jaume Collboni. "We are facing the biggest problem Barcelona has," he declared. In the past ten years, rents have risen by 68%, and the cost of buying a house has increased by 38%. The apartments will be used by city residents after the ban, or they will be put back on the market for rent or sale. Spain is the second most popular vacation destination in the world, with 85 million foreign tourists reported last year.
Protests against excessive tourism have been growing in Spain, from the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands to Barcelona and Malaga. Among the concerns raised by residents are the pressured housing market, the increase in the rental of vacation homes, which has forced many residents to leave city centers, as well as noise and environmental pollution.
- Spain, as the second most popular vacation destination worldwide with 85 million foreign tourists annually, is experiencing growing concerns over excessive tourism, particularly in cities like Barcelona and Malaga.
- On top of the housing shortage and rising rents, protesters in Madrid, just like Maria Franco who lamented the impossible house purchase, are voicing their disapproval towards the increased rental of apartments to tourists, leading to local residents' displacement from city centers.
- Barcelona's decision to ban short-term vacation rentals by November 2028, affected by over 10,000 licenses revocation, will bring relief to local residents and enable them to occupy apartments that were previously dedicated to tourists.
