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Dublin Live
21-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
Irish tourists to be 'severely' affected by Spain's crackdown on Airbnb
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Irish tourists are set to be 'severely' affected by Spain's crackdown on Airbnb, as the country demands the removal of over 65,000 holiday listings from its platform. On Monday, May 19, it was announced that approximately 65,935 Airbnb properties will be delisted for violating strict regulation rules such as not including their licence number, failing to specify whether the owner was an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records. While the stringent clampdown may be welcomed by locals - who argue the surge in short-term rentals is exacerbating the country's housing crisis - it could potentially wreak havoc for thousands of Irish holidaymakers. Travel expert Zoe Adjey warns the move could be a massive blow for Irish tourists, possibly leading to less accommodation and higher prices. "The impact will be most severe in tourist hotspots like Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga, where enforcement is strictest," said Zoe, a senior lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality at UEL. "Many unlicensed properties will vanish from platforms, while remaining listings will face stricter regulations and registration requirements. Tourists will need to adapt to this new, more regulated market." If you've already booked an Airbnb in Spain for this year, it's crucial to act swiftly. Zoe advises getting in touch with your host 'immediately' to verify their compliance status and then carry out the following checks: Review your cancellation policy and know your refund rights. Book alternative accommodation early if you're uncertain. Try less popular areas if you're struggling to find accommodation in your original destination. Request to see the property's official registration or license number. Consider travel insurance for future trips that cover accommodation cancellations. Keep an eye on the Airbnb app and your phone as some changes could happen very fast. The sudden news could also cause a surge in hotel prices, particularly during peak seasons like the summer holidays. "However, Spain relies heavily on tourism revenue and competes with other Mediterranean destinations, which may help moderate extreme price increases," Zoe clarified. "The effect will vary by location, with popular coastal areas and major cities seeing the most significant price pressure." This decision comes just one month after Spain approved a harsh new law to control the rise of holiday rentals across the country. On April 3, an amendment to the Horizontal Property Act was passed, requiring locals who want to convert their home into an Airbnb to secure a 60 per cent majority vote from neighbouring property owners. Homeowners who are renting out their property without the 'necessary support' will now be asked to stop. If they ignore this warning, they could face legal action for 'unauthorised use'. However, these new rules - which are part of the Organic Law 1/2025 legislation - only apply to new tourist accommodations in residential buildings and complexes. This means if a flat is already being rented out to holidaymakers, they will not need to participate in the local referendum. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourists face holiday chaos as Spain drops enormous Airbnb bombshell
Irish tourists are set to be 'severely' affected by Spain's crackdown on Airbnb, as the country demands the removal of over 65,000 holiday listings from its platform. On Monday, May 19, it was announced that approximately 65,935 Airbnb properties will be delisted for violating strict regulation rules such as not including their licence number, failing to specify whether the owner was an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records. While the stringent clampdown may be welcomed by locals - who argue the surge in short-term rentals is exacerbating the country's housing crisis - it could potentially wreak havoc for thousands of Irish holidaymakers. In an exclusive chat with the Mirror, travel expert Zoe Adjey warns the move could be a massive blow for Irish tourists, possibly leading to less accommodation and higher prices. "The impact will be most severe in tourist hotspots like Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga, where enforcement is strictest," said Zoe, a senior lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality at UEL. "Many unlicensed properties will vanish from platforms, while remaining listings will face stricter regulations and registration requirements. Tourists will need to adapt to this new, more regulated market," reports the Mirror. If you've already booked an Airbnb in Spain for this year, it's crucial to act swiftly. Zoe advises getting in touch with your host 'immediately' to verify their compliance status and then carry out the following checks: The sudden news could also cause a surge in hotel prices, particularly during peak seasons like the summer holidays. "However, Spain relies heavily on tourism revenue and competes with other Mediterranean destinations, which may help moderate extreme price increases," Zoe clarified. "The effect will vary by location, with popular coastal areas and major cities seeing the most significant price pressure." This decision comes just one month after Spain approved a harsh new law to control the rise of holiday rentals across the country. On April 3, an amendment to the Horizontal Property Act was passed, requiring locals who want to convert their home into an Airbnb to secure a 60 per cent majority vote from neighbouring property owners. Homeowners who are renting out their property without the 'necessary support' will now be asked to stop. If they ignore this warning, they could face legal action for 'unauthorised use'. However, these new rules - which are part of the Organic Law 1/2025 legislation - only apply to new tourist accommodations in residential buildings and complexes. This means if a flat is already being rented out to holidaymakers, they will not need to participate in the local referendum.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to act now as Spain Airbnb crackdown to have 'severe' effect
Following a brutal clampdown - which resulted in Airbnb being ordered to remove 65,000 holiday listings in Spain - Brits have been urged to act swiftly and make one quick check before jetting off Brits will 'severely' be impacted by Spain's Airbnb crackdown, as the country orders the rental platform to remove more than 65,000 holiday listings from its site. Yesterday (Monday, May 19), it was revealed around 65,935 Airbnb properties will be delisted for breaking strict regulation rules such as not including their licence number, failing to specify whether the owner was an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records. While the harsh clampdown may be well-received by fed-up locals - who argue the surge in short-term rentals is worsening the country's housing crisis - it has the potential to cause chaos for thousands of UK holidaymakers. In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, travel expert Zoe Adjey warns the move could be a huge blow for Brits, and may result in reduced accommodation and higher prices. "The impact will be most severe in tourism hotspots like Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga, where enforcement is strictest," Zoe, a senior lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality at UEL, said. "Many unlicensed properties will disappear from platforms, while remaining listings will face stricter regulations and registration requirements. British tourists, who make up one of Spain's largest visitor groups, will need to adapt to this new, more regulated market." Spain Airbnb crackdown - will I be impacted? If you've booked an Airbnb in Spain for this year, it's imperative you act quickly. Zoe recommends contacting your host 'immediately' to confirm whether they have the correct compliance status, and then making the following checks: Review your cancellation policy and know your refund rights. Book alternative accommodation early if you're uncertain. Try less popular areas if you're struggling to find accommodation in your original destination. Request to see the property's official registration or license number. Consider travel insurance for future trips that cover accommodation cancellations. Keep an eye on the Airbnb app and your phone as some changes could happen very fast. The sudden revelation may also spike hotel prices, especially during busy seasons like the summer holidays. "However, Spain relies heavily on tourism revenue and competes with other Mediterranean destinations, which may help moderate extreme price increases," Zoe explained. "The effect will vary by location, with popular coastal areas and major cities seeing the most significant price pressure." The ruling comes just one month after Spain green-lighted a brutal new law to curb the surge of holiday rentals across the country. On April 3, an update to the Horizontal Property Act was passed, requiring locals wanting to turn their home into an Airbnb to pass a 60 per cent majority vote from neighbouring property owners. Homeowners renting out their property without the 'necessary support' will now be asked to cease operations. If they ignore the warning, they risk being hit with legal action over 'unauthorised use'. However, the new rules - which fall under the Organic Law 1/2025 legislation - only apply to new tourist accommodations in residential buildings and complexes. This means if an apartment is already being rented out to holidaymakers, they will not need to take part in the local referendum.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island chaos as anti-tourist protests erupts in 15 areas
Demonstrators are getting ready to flock to the streets en masse, calling for huge reform to the Canary Island's tourism model. Here's exactly where the protestors will occur Thousands of fed-up locals across the Canary Islands will take to the streets this weekend - demanding drastic change to the 'unsustainable' tourism model. It follows the record-breaking number of visitors that flocked to the archipelago last year, and the subsequent string of demonstrations. After blaming holidaymakers for worsening Spain's housing crisis, activists, and members of the Canarian diaspora abroad will gather en masse on Sunday, May 18 to call for new legislation that puts an end to 'exploitative economic models' on the island. This includes putting a halt to 'destructive' projects such as high-profile hotels, and freezing new tourist developments. Protestors also want a green energy transition, and an eco-tax for tourists. The latter has already been mulled over in hotspots such as Tenerife's Teide National Park - which is slated to implement an entrance fee in 2026. READ MORE: Brits 'caught off guard' in major EU holiday hotspot as little-known rule exposed Other demands include 'cultural and social heritage protection', clamping down on marine pollution, and rejecting macro-infrastructure projects. "If they don't listen in the streets, they'll hear us in everyday life," one protest organiser told local news. According to Canarian Weekly, protests will take place in 15 areas across the Canary Islands, and demonstrators have vowed they 'won't stop' until they'veachieved the change of model the Canary Islands urgently need'. If you're heading over to the hotspot this week, you may want to avoid the following areas. Canary Island's anti-tourist protests - where to avoid Tenerife – Plaza Weyler, Santa Cruz, 11:00am Gran Canaria – Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, 11:00 am Lanzarote – Quiosco de la Música, Arrecife, 11:00am Fuerteventura – Plaza de la Iglesia, Puerto del Rosario, 11:00am El Hierro – Consejería de Turismo, Valverde, 11:00am La Palma – Plaza de La Alameda, Santa Cruz de La Palma, 11:00am La Gomera – Plaza de Las Américas, San Sebastián, 11:00am The upcoming protests are hardly a surprise, as anti-tourist sentiment has been escalating across Spain for some time - and has even taken a violent turn. Back in March, a shocking sign threatening to 'Kill A Tourist' was spotted in Tenerife, while reports also emerged that anonymous activists had torched rental cars on the island to send a clear message to holidaymakers. Last month, Spain passed a law in a desperate attempt to appease frustrated residents. Following an update to the Horizontal Property Act, those wanting to cash in on the influx of Brits by renting out their house to holidaymakers will now need to gain a 60 per cent majority vote from neighbouring property owners. The brutal new rule means homeowners putting their apartments on sites like Airbnb or without the 'necessary support' will be asked to cease operations. They may be threatened with legal action if they ignore the warning.
