Palma, the bustling capital of Majorca, a favored vacation destination for Brits, has introduced stringent measures to tackle overtourism issues. The city’s mayor, Jaime Martinez, has announced a ban on party boats, new tourist rentals, and youth hostels as part of these new regulations.
The ban on additional tourist rentals will now extend to single-family homes and room rentals formerly advertised on platforms like Airbnb, in addition to multi-family residences where it was already prohibited. Martinez emphasized that only the existing 639 legal tourist rentals in Palma will be permitted to continue, with no replacements allowed if they are terminated.
Furthermore, the establishment of new hostels in Palma will be prohibited, with existing ones encouraged to transition into hotels or residential properties. Party boats will also face a complete ban from docking along Palma’s seafront starting from the upcoming season.
Efforts are underway to collaborate with the Balearic port authority to ensure effective enforcement of these restrictions. Martinez highlighted the numerous complaints from residents, particularly during the busy summer months, regarding the type of tourists attracted to the city. These measures are part of the city council’s dedication to maintaining the quality of the destination and combating illegal tourism practices.
In a broader context, Spain, along with countries like Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Greece, is cracking down on unlawful tourist accommodations to address overtourism concerns. The proliferation of illegal holiday rentals has been a long-standing issue, as demonstrated by past overtourism protests across Spain, with locals attributing these rentals to the housing crisis, marked by soaring rental prices and limited local housing availability.
In Majorca, the escalating housing market crisis has seen prices surge by 15% in the last year alone. Authorities in these countries are intensifying inspections, introducing new licensing systems, and calling for increased cooperation from booking platforms to combat the issue.
Despite warnings of significant penalties, reports indicate that there are still 7,000 illegal holiday flats being rented out in the Balearic Islands. The stringent crackdown aims to level the playing field for legal operators and safeguard local communities.
Authorities stress that while tourists are welcomed, adherence to laws and respect for locals are paramount. The housing crisis in Spain has reached a critical juncture, prompting the government to label it a “social emergency.” Addressing the housing shortage remains a top priority, with estimates suggesting a need for 600,000 to a million new homes within the next four years to meet demand.
Barcelona is leading the charge with strict regulations on holiday rentals, phasing out tourist apartments with a goal to eliminate all licensed short-term rentals by 2028. Mayor Jaume Collboni has affirmed that no licences for tourist-use flats will be renewed post their expiration in November 2028.
Spain remains a top destination for UK travelers, with approximately 18 million British visitors in 2023, significantly surpassing the 9.2 million who traveled to France, the second most popular destination.