Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world and last year welcomed a record-breaking 94 million tourists. It’s a particular favourite with Brits, who made up the biggest proportion of visitors in 2024. Tourism brings a huge amount of revenue to the country – €126 billion last year – but it also comes with a fair share of issues and many Spaniards have had enough.
Image Credit: Metro [epa11444682 Residents take part in a protest to demand their 'right to have a home' and against mass tourism in Malaga, Spain, 29 June 2024. EPA/MARIA ALONSO]
Those living in some of the biggest holiday hotspots complain of overcrowding, town centres no longer catering for locals, and a lack of housing, especially affordable housing. Several protests have been held across Spain and the Canary Islands calling for tougher regulation to tackle the issues.
Image Credit: Metro [A protester holds a placard reading "Invasion does not come in 'patera', it comes by plane" as thousands march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism, in Arona on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on October 20, 2024. Thousands of flag-waving demonstrators hit the streets across Spain's Canary Islands today to demand changes to the model of mass tourism they say is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago. Rallying under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit", demonstrators waving white, blue and yellow flags of the Canary Islands, marched by tourists sitting in outdoor terraces in Playa de las America before they rallied on the beach chanting "This beach is ours" as tourists sitting on sunbeds under parasol shades looked on. (Photo by DESIREE MARTIN / AFP) (Photo by DESIREE MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images)]
And it seems authorities are listening. A new three-year law was introduced in Malaga this month, which has been dubbed a ‘tourist ban’ by some. The term is misleading – the law doesn’t ban tourists from anywhere. Instead, it prevents the registration of any new holiday rentals across 43 districts in the area.
Image Credit: Metro [A protester holds a sign reading "The Canary Islands have a limit" as thousands march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism, in Arona on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on October 20, 2024. Thousands of flag-waving demonstrators hit the streets across Spain's Canary Islands today to demand changes to the model of mass tourism they say is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago. Rallying under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit", demonstrators waving white, blue and yellow flags of the Canary Islands, marched by tourists sitting in outdoor terraces in Playa de las America before they rallied on the beach chanting "This beach is ours" as tourists sitting on sunbeds under parasol shades looked on. (Photo by DESIREE MARTIN / AFP) (Photo by DESIREE MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images)]
The measure, introduced by Malaga City Council and Costa del Sol on January 14 and expected to last beyond the initial three years, aims to stop the rise of holiday-rental properties in the most crowded parts of the city and give locals a better chance of finding long-term lets.
Yes, holidaymakers can book hotels, Airbnbs and other accommodation as normal. The only existing accommodation that will be affected are holiday flats registered since February 2022 that do not have access and resources separate from those for permanent residents.
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