Tourists may be surprised. You will have to spend more on vacation in Spain

The housing crisis in Spain is one of the main reasons for protests against the expansion of tourism in this country. Demonstrations in the continental part of the country and in the Canary Islands have long been a scream of powerlessness of residents who cannot afford to rent or buy their own apartment. The government wants to end the growth of short -term rental offers, and the first effects of these activities can already be seen.

Airbnb is to withdraw nearly 6,000 offers

Spain ordered Airbnb with the withdrawal of over 65,000 Holiday rental offers from its internet platform, as part of a general fight with business, which is blamed for the current housing situation. Most Airbnb offers to be blocked do not contain a license number, while others do not specify whether the owner was a natural person or a corporation, as reported by the Ministry of Consumer Rights in a Monday statement.

“No more excuses. Enough of protection of those who make a business from the right to apartment in our country,” consumer minister Pablo Bustinduy told journalists. He added that Madrycki The Supreme Court supports the application for withdrawal of up to 5,800 offers. It is possible that soon Poles traveling to Spain will feel this change in the form of a smaller number of offers and an increase in the prices of accommodation available on Airbnb, even if many agree with the law protecting local communities. Earlier, Malaga took a step in a similar direction – in a sunny city newly opened objects rented in apartment blocks will have to have a separate, independent entrance through which guests will enter.

The Spanish ministry did not inform whether the same rules refer to the owners on a competitive booking.com platform, although another dispute was conducted with this. Hoteliers have been accused of unfair practices and abuse of the dominant position for years. In March this year, the Spanish National Court temporarily suspended a penalty of EUR 413.2 million imposed on the service by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC).

The platform does not agree with the government

Airbnb spokesman reported on Monday that the company would appeal against this decision. In his opinion, the ministry has no right to issue decisions regarding the short -term rental and did not provide the “list of accommodation based on the evidence that is not compatible with the regulations.” The spokesman said that some of the offers indicated as incorrectly are “non -touristic seasonal offers”.

According to official data, in November last year in Spain there were about 321,000 houses with licenses for holiday rental, by 15 percent. more than in 2020. Many others work without official licenses.