Spain orders 65,000 Airbnbs to close in fightback against mass tourism
The Spanish government has ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 holiday listings on its platform for rule violations, the consumer rights ministry said.
The Spanish authorities' attempts to prevent another summer of discontent over surging tourism have led to curbs on rental flats across the country.
The regional government of the Balearic Islands is also attempting to stop a 'massive influx of tourists' drawn by images posted online by influencers, La Vanguardia newspaper reported.
In recent months tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets protesting against rising housing and rental costs, which many say have been driven up by holiday rentals on platforms such as Airbnb that have proliferated in popular tourist destinations.
'Enough with protecting those who make a
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Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Fury over video of Brit women fighting in vicious brawl at Tenerife hotspot
Dramatic footage of the brawl, filmed in the early hours near an infamous nightclub strip, shows the two British women grappling on the pavement as jeering onlookers egg them on Two British women have been caught in a violent street fight on a notorious Tenerife nightclub strip - a scene that's ignited a firestorm of outrage among locals already fed up with drunken tourist antics. Dramatic footage of the brawl, filmed in the early hours near the infamous Las Verónicas strip in Playa de Las Américas, shows the women grappling on the pavement as jeering onlookers egg them on. One lunges at the other, slamming her into the ground. The move is followed by a flurry of punches before passers-by finally intervene to tear them apart. The video, shared on Instagram via the account @tenerifequejasvecinales, has since gone viral, sparking renewed calls for tighter controls on nightlife and an increased police presence in the south of Tenerife. Social media users flocked to the comments to slam the tourists for their unruly behaviour. "This is becoming unbearable," one said. Another wrote: "What a disgrace, and it's only getting worse." The fight has echoed what many residents see as the dark side of mass tourism in Tenerife's south - and comes at a time when the island is already grappling with a drop in British bookings and rising local unrest. Anti-tourism reached boiling point on May 18, when thousands of demonstrators flooded streets and beaches across the Canary Islands. It comes after a sharp 8% year-on-year decline in UK summer reservations, according to Santiago Sese, president of Tenerife's Chamber of Commerce. He warned on Friday that British tourists are being lured elsewhere, citing gains in countries like Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Morocco - while UK-targeted ad campaigns are failing to bring more travellers in. Tenerife welcomed a record 5.6 million visitors in 2023 - 600,000 more than in 2019 - but the strain is showing. In March 2024, angry slogans like "tourists go home" and "your paradise, our misery" were scrawled across buildings, highlighting simmering resentment over rising costs and stagnant wages. Anti-tourism campaigners also claim that the rise in Airbnb and holiday lets have sparked housing issues, with a growing number of homes becoming unavailable to rent to locals. "Everything is for tourists... this is our prison paradise," a disgruntled local wrote on a Facebook community forum. "Just try to understand us local people. If you don't[,] go home!" Officials have yet to respond publicly to the latest street brawl.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Airbnb names picturesque village near Scots loch among best summer destinations
Read on for the full list of top UK summer destinations BONNIE BANKS Airbnb names picturesque village near Scots loch among best summer destinations Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PICTURESQUE village which sits on the shores of a famous Scottish loch has been named among the best summer destinations. Airbnb has revealed the top travel trends in 2025 for the upcoming months. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Balloch has been named as one of the top travel destinations this summer Credit: Alamy 4 The Scottish village made it into the top locations under the peak escapism trend Credit: Willie Vass With summer on the horizon, the company has also named its top destinations for 2025's sunshine season, along with a selection of Airbnb Homes and Experiences for planning the perfect trip. And one Scottish village made it into the top locations under the peak escapism trend. Whether driven by wellness trends or a craving for fresh air, holidaymakers are swapping sun loungers for summit views. Search demand is soaring for mountain towns and rugged coastlines that offer real adventure - from hiking and wild swimming to unforgettable moments in nature. Balloch which sits on the shores of Loch Lomond has been named as one of the places to go. The stunning village offers easy access to the Trossachs National Park, and is perfect for kayaking, hiking and peaceful rambles. Airbnb added that the lochside spot has witnessed an increase in searches by well-over 100% this summer. Annie's Apartment has been suggested for a cosy stay - five minutes away from Loch Lomond. The charming village of Bushmills, Northern Ireland has also been named as a top destination for this trend. It's a stone's throw from the Giant's Causeway, and is a gateway to breathtaking cliff tops, and serene beaches. Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations Rocca Pietore in Veneto, Italy is the third location to be hailed as an escapism trip. Tucked in the heart of the Dolomites mountain range, this alpine village is perfect for glacier hikes, high-altitude trails and scenic cable car rides with jaw-dropping views. Luke Impett, Partnerships and External Affairs for Northern Europe at Airbnb, comments: "This summer, we're seeing a clear shift in how people want to travel. "Brits are moving beyond the typical beach holiday, leaning into adventure, culture, and moments that feel more personal - whether that's hiking along the dramatic coastline of Portrush, chasing live music in Manchester, or discovering food scenes off the beaten path in Tropea. "The demand for meaningful, immersive travel is growing and with Airbnb, guests can find everything from unique places to stay to authentic, local experiences." Top trending domestic destinations this summer for UK travellers Bushmills, Northern Ireland Balloch, Scotland Shropshire, England Portrush, Northern Ireland Manchester, England Bristol, England Cardiff, Wales Milton Keynes, England Londonderry, Northern Ireland Wembley, England 4 The stunning village offers easy access to the Trossachs National Park, and is perfect for kayaking and hiking Credit: Tom Farmer
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Gorgeous town in Portugal is a foodie paradise with flights from £27
World-class beaches, quaint cobbled towns, and delicious wine. It's no surprise that thousands of British tourists flock to Portugal's Algarve region every summer. Returning visitors likely have their favourite destinations: from historical Sagres to the buzzy Praia da Rocha. But there's one place that isn't as well known — and it's a must-visit for fans of Portuguese food. Named as an emerging foodie destination by Airbnb, the town of Almancil is just a 20 minute drive from Faro Airport. Close to the popular Loulé, this glamorous spot is part of the Algarve's affluent Golden Triangle area, with boutique shopping and world-class golf courses — it even has two Michelin starred restaurants. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Fancy a luxe getaway? Here's everything you need to know about this up and coming town. The journey to Almancil from the UK s pretty straight forward. To get to the town (which was recently approved for city-status by the Portuguese government) you'll need to take a flight from the UK to Faro Airport. According to Expedia, flights can start from as little as £27 one-way (based on an EasyJet flight from London Southend Airport on August 29.) Direct flights from London SEN take two hours and 55 minutes and once you arrive at Faro it's a short 20 minute drive to Almancil. No car? No problem. There are buses from the airport, which will take you to Albufeira, and then you'll need to hop on another bus to Almancil. Travel via public transport from Faro takes about 40 minutes. If you love shopping, you'll be in your element in Almancil, as there are two giant shopping destinations in town, including MAR Shopping Algarve and Designer Outlet Algarve. MAR Shopping is a mall containing high street stores like Bershka, ALDO, Clair'es, Deichmann, Flying Tiger, H&M, IKEA, LEGO, Mango, Pandora, Primark and Sephora. While the designer outlet features brands like Ray-Ban, Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld and Levi's. Those who prefer to soak up a bit of culture will want to head to the stunning Igreja de São Lourenço de Almancil, a little treasure that was built in 1730. From the outside, it looks like most other Portuguese limestone churches, but inside the walls and cupola are covered in blue and white hand painted azulejos (tiles), which depict the life and death of Saint Lawrence. The church also contains plenty of gold carvings and gilding, especially around the altar. According to Tripadvisor reviews, it's 'beautiful' and 'definitely worth a visit'. Those who enjoy splashing about might also want to pay a visit to the Aquashow Waterpark, which is an eight minute drive away from the town, or a 12 minute bus journey. Alternatively, Almancil is a short drive to Ria Formosa nature reserve, as well as popular beaches on the Algarve such as Praia do Ancão, Praia Quinta do Lago, Praia Vale do Lobo, and Praia Vilamoura. Golf fans will also be easily entertained at one of the many luxurious resorts in the area, including Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. The former has two courses (the Ocean and the Royal), while the latter has three award-winning golf courses, surrounded by pine forests, lakes and the Ria Formosa. The wider Areias de Almancil neighbourhood boasts not one, not two but three restaurants from the Michelin guide (within a 15 minute drive from the main town itself). These include 2 Passos, a seafood restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Praia do Ancão, meaning you can enjoy picturesque sea views while you eat. The grilled squid and tiger prawns with rice are said to be unmissable dishes. There's also Gusto by Heinz Beck located at the Conrad Algarve hotel. Open Tuesday to Saturday, the restaurant offers innovative seven and nine-course tasting menus by the German chef and the food features Mediterranean and Italian influences. More Trending The Fagottelli Carbonara is the chef's signature dish, so you'll want to try that if you can. Enjoy with a premium wine pairing, while dining at the outdoor terrace. And finally there's Pequeno Mundo, a romantic fine dining restaurant in an Algarvian house with pretty courtyards filled with plants and greenery. The menu has strong French and Portuguese influences and there's a six-course tasting option, as well as vegetarian dishes and seasonal off-menu specialities. According to the Michelin guide, the prawns with sautéed portobello mushrooms are a must try and for dessert, you'll want to order the crispy red fruits. If you're looking for something a little different social media users love Parrilla Natural, a nearby Uruguayan restaurant which specialises in beef. Many dishes are cooked over the grill and they also serve Sunday roasts. The steakhouse is unique in that it has a beautiful outdoor deck with a giant pine tree in the middle, strung up with fairy lights that twinkle in the evening. Metro's Kristina Beanland has been lucky enough to visit the Algarve more times than she can count — and there's one dish she keeps going back for. She says: 'I love everything about eating at a Portuguese restaurant, from the no-frills decor, to the simple yet-oh-so delicious 'couvert' of bread, olives and goats cheese, to my favourite childhood desert, Sawdust Pudding, which I promise tastes better than it sounds. 'But my favourite dish, not just in Portugal, but anywhere in the world, has to be Bacalhau a Bras. It translates to 'salt cod in the style of Brás' (catchy), but is essentially shredded cod with scrambled eggs, matchstick potatoes, onion and olives to garnish. 'It's thought to have hailed from Lisbon (potentially invited by a chef named Brás) back in the 19th century, and become popular as an easy, cheap dish to make. I've always eaten it in the Algarve, famed, of course, for its fresh seafood. 'Bacalhau a Bras is the ultimate comfort food. Stodgy, salty and delicious, it might not be the most elegant of dishes, but it always hits the spot. 'If you can't make it to Portugal but still want to give it a try, I'd recommend Londoners head to Stockwell's Little Portugal, and trying to Bacalhau a Bras served at O Cantinho de Portugal.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Corfu is a terrible tourist trap, but this Greek village captured my heart MORE: What Madeleine McCann's twin siblings are doing now after 'living in her shadow' MORE: Bugaboo launch the Butterfly 2 that makes family outings a breeze
