Short-term rental supply in Spain grows despite government efforts

Madrid, June 2 - The supply of short-term rentals in Spain has increased by 25 percent in the past two years. The growth is despite efforts by local governments to intervene to combat excessive tourism due to a shortage of housing, according to data from tourism lobby group Exceltur.

Tourist accommodation is increasing at an above-average rate in several of the southern European country's 50 most visited towns and tourist destinations. They accounted for half of all foreign visitor arrivals in 2024, according to an Exceltur study.

The number of available hotel rooms, on the other hand, increased by only two percent between 2022 and 2024, according to official data on registered tourist accommodation and offers on platforms analyzed by Exceltur.

Spain is looking for a way to limit the number of properties rented to tourists after the pandemic, which saw a sharp increase in the number of visitors. It is responding to protests from residents who blame excessive tourism for the sharp increase in rental prices and purchase prices of houses and apartments. According to the Spanish central bank, there is a shortage of 450,000 apartments across the country.

In Barcelona, the mayor has banned short-term rentals until 2028. New permits are being restricted in Malaga, Madrid and the Canary Islands.

Last week, the government ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 listings from its site that the government said violated existing rules. The international online travel agency said it would appeal.

“The big problem with these regulations is that regional and local governments are not able to enforce them through traditional inspections,” Oscar Perelli, vice president of Exceltur, told Reuters.

Czech press agency | WT.24