From Investing.com: 2024-11-18 03:05:32

Global holiday home rental company Airbnb is pushing back against Barcelona’s crackdown on short-term rentals, claiming it only benefits the hotel sector. Barcelona’s mayor plans to ban all short-term rentals by 2028, but Airbnb argues that previous measures have not addressed housing issues or overtourism effectively.

Barcelona’s official data shows that long-term rents have increased over 70% and hotel room prices have risen over 60%, despite a decrease in short-term rental homes. Airbnb suggests that policies targeting vacant homes would be more effective in increasing affordable housing supply.

Spain’s travel industry association has supported regulations on short-term rentals, calling the growth of holiday homes in Spanish cities “out of control.” Other cities like Madrid and Malaga have implemented restrictions on short-term rentals this year.

Barcelona’s mayor plans to maintain a ban on new hotels in the city center while allowing new hotel capacity elsewhere in Barcelona. Airbnb argues that addressing vacant homes would be more effective in boosting affordable housing than cracking down on short-term rentals.



Read more at Investing.com: Airbnb urges Barcelona to reconsider crackdown on tourism rentals By Reuters