66,000 accommodations cancelled: Spain takes drastic step against mass tourism

Anyone planning their next vacation in Spain should be especially careful when looking for accommodation. As the news agency " AP News " reports, the Spanish government ordered the online platform Airbnb to remove 65,935 vacation rental listings earlier this week.

The move was justified by the fact that a large proportion of the listings lacked the required license numbers. Furthermore, it was unclear whether the landlords were private individuals or companies.

Airbnb announced it would appeal the order. A company spokesperson stated that the ministry had no authority to suspend short-term rentals. The online platform also accused the authorities of using an "indiscriminate methodology"—since it also affected listings that do not require a license.

The order against Airbnb is likely to provide relief for Spain , as the country is in the midst of a severe housing crisis. According to " Die Presse, " numerous people took to the streets in 40 Spanish cities on April 5 to protest the growing housing shortage. The demonstrations were held under the slogan: "Let's put an end to the housing business."

The “ Deutschlandfunk ” writes that many citizens in Spain spend more than half of their income on rent. Especially on the Balearic Islands, rents have risen by almost 160 percent in the last ten years.

Not only is the search for vacation rentals becoming increasingly challenging for holidaymakers in Spain – stricter regulations could also make their stay more difficult and expensive. Travelers should be prepared for this:

• Tourist tax : In popular regions such as the Balearic Islands and Barcelona, ​​the tourist tax has been increased. This can make overnight stays significantly more expensive.
• Beach rules : Violations such as smoking or loud music on Gran Canaria's beaches can result in fines. Even stealing beach debris can result in fines of up to 500 euros.
• Ban on alcohol sales : In Mallorca and Ibiza, the sale of alcohol is to be banned between 9:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. – a measure that is primarily aimed at the excessive behavior of party tourists.