The Costa del Sol has become the latest Spanish resort to impose significant restrictions on mass tourism. In response to mounting protests from locals over the impact of overtourism, 43 areas in one of Spain’s most frequented resorts are tightening controls.
Long-term residents have been expressing increasing dissatisfaction over issues such as housing shortages and environmental concerns. This discontent has prompted numerous authorities in popular resorts to implement a ban on registering new holiday rentals.
The prohibition is currently active in 43 districts of Malaga city, the capital of Costa del Sol, renowned for its appeal to British tourists. City officials approved these measures in December, which came into effect on Tuesday. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here
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They are set to remain in place for three years, limiting the number of accommodations available for tourists, although it is anticipated that this period will be extended. This action follows a recent study revealing that nearly one in 10 (8%) family homes in these areas were occupied by holiday rentals.
It is hoped that these drastic measures will significantly curb the expansion of holiday rentals in the city, reports the Mirror. In a bid to control overcrowding, no new tourist accommodation can now be registered in 43 of the most congested areas of Malaga, including the historic centre, El Ejido, La Merced and dozens more districts. It’s speculated that France and Portugal may also adopt similar measures if the scheme proves successful, given their own concerns over mass tourism.
However, Malaga is not the only Spanish city grappling with growing discontent towards tourists. Last year, locals in Barcelona resorted to spraying visitors with water guns out of frustration, while residents in Palma, Majorca, staged a large protest last summer over tourism, demanding a 40% reduction in the number of holiday beds.
The restrictions approved by Malaga’s local council last June will continue to apply, meaning that tourist flats registered since February 22 that do not have separate access and supplies from the residential section of the building will have their licences cancelled.
According to Sur in English, there are already 13,000 holiday rentals officially registered in the city. After Marbella, Malaga reportedly has the second highest volume of holiday rentals.
Last year in June, the mayor of Barcelona declared intentions to prohibit all tourist apartments by November 2028. Alicante has enforced a two-year ban on new licences for short-term holiday rentals, addressing worries over mass tourism and housing supplies. The Canary Islands,the Balearic Islands and Barcelona are among several areas that have raised the tourist tax levied on visitors.
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