Latest news with #consumidores
Bloomberg
30-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Spanish Inflation Cools More Than Expected, Backing ECB Cut
Spanish inflation eased to just below the European Central Bank's 2% target, backing the case for interest rates to be lowered again next week. Consumer prices rose 1.9% from a year ago in May, the least in seven months, the statistics agency said Friday, citing a slower advance in electricity bills, and a drop in some transport and recreation costs.
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Colombia Orders Gas Distributor to Cut Prices, Refund Customers
Colombia's utilities watchdog ordered Grupo Vanti, the nation's biggest natural gas distributor, to cut prices and reimburse households hit by higher charges at the start of the year. Vanti's price increases of 5% in January and 36% in February were unjustified since the company had 'sufficient reserves of domestic natural gas' to meet demand from homes and businesses, the agency, known as Superservicios, said in a statement Wednesday. It therefore ordered Vanti to 'recalculate' the rate and completely refund the amount 'overcharged,' the watchdog added.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Spain orders Airbnb to remove over 65,000 tourist rental ads
Airbnb had appealed previous government requests to remove the illegal adverts, but a Madrid court has backed the authorities. (EPA Images pic) MADRID : Spain's leftist government said today that it had ordered tourist rental platform Airbnb to take down more than 65,000 illegal adverts as it tries to balance the flourishing sector against a housing crisis. The consumer rights ministry said it had 'urged' the US company's Irish-based subsidiary to remove 65,935 adverts for 'breaching the advertising rules for this type of tourist accommodation'. The infractions included failing to provide a licence number, not indicating whether the leaser was a professional or a private individual, and giving licence numbers that did not match those granted by the authorities. 'Airbnb had appealed previous government requests to remove the illegal adverts, but a Madrid court has backed the authorities and urged Airbnb to 'immediately' withdraw 5,800 ads,' the ministry said in a statement. The world's second most-visited country hosted a record 94 million tourists in 2024, making the lucrative sector a driver of its buoyant economy. However, residents of tourist hotspots such as Barcelona have blamed short-term rentals for scarce and unaffordable housing and changing the fabric of their neighbourhoods. Consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy will work 'to stop the chaos and widespread illegality of tourist accommodation, as well as to promote access to housing and safeguard consumers' rights', his ministry added.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Spain makes huge holiday ruling as 65,000 tourist rentals blocked
Spain has launched a crackdown on thousands of Airbnb properties, ordering the platform to remove over 65,000 holiday rental listings in the country for breaching regulations. The Spanish consumer rights ministry cited missing licence numbers, unclear ownership records, and discrepancies between listed and official records as reasons for the mass delisting. This move comes amid a growing housing affordability crisis in Spain, with escalating protests against rising rents and home prices. Many blame the proliferation of short-term rentals, particularly on platforms like Airbnb, for exacerbating the problem, especially in popular tourist hubs like Madrid and Barcelona. The government's action reflects increasing pressure to address citizen concerns and regulate the short-term rental market. Last year, Barcelona unveiled an ambitious plan to phase out all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028, aiming to prioritise housing for permanent residents. This latest nationwide crackdown targets listings in Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona. The move signals a broader government effort to tackle the housing crisis and rein in the impact of holiday rentals on the Spanish property market. Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy said his goal was to end the general "lack of control" and "illegality" in the holiday rental business. "No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country," he told reporters. Housing has become a major issue in Spain as construction has failed to keep pace with demand since a construction bubble burst more than 15 years ago. According to official data, there were about 321,000 homes with holiday rental licences in Spain as of November last year, 15% more than in 2020. Many more operate without official licences. The Consumer Rights Ministry opened a probe into Airbnb in December. A spokesperson for Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. In December, the company said it always asked hosts to confirm they have permission to rent their places and abide by all local rules. The company also said that the ministry had failed to provide lists of non-compliant accommodation, and that many owners do not need a licence to rent out their property. The company said the ministry did not have the authority to make rulings over short-term rentals and was disregarding court rulings specifying that Airbnb was a digital, not a real estate company.
