Palma, the capital city of Majorca, a popular destination among British tourists, has introduced stringent measures to tackle the issue of over tourism. The new regulations include a complete prohibition on party boats, tourist rentals, and youth hostels. Mayor Jaime Martinez emphasized the immediate enforcement of the ban on additional tourist rentals.
Previously, multi-family homes were the only ones affected by rental restrictions, but the ban now extends to single-family homes and room rentals, previously listed on platforms like Airbnb. The mayor clarified that only 639 legal tourist rentals are permitted in Palma, with no replacements should they be terminated.
Furthermore, the establishment of new hostels within Palma is now banned, and existing ones are encouraged to convert into hotels or residential properties. Starting from the next season, party boats will no longer be allowed to dock along Palma’s seafront.
Authorities are collaborating with the Balearic port authority to ensure effective enforcement of these restrictions. The mayor highlighted the numerous complaints from residents about the type of tourists attracted during the summer season. These measures are part of the city council’s commitment to maintaining the destination’s quality and combatting illegal tourism.
Several countries, including Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Greece, have been taking steps to address the issue of overtourism by clamping down on unauthorized holiday rentals. Locals have raised concerns about these rentals, linking them to housing shortages and escalating rental prices, as seen in Majorca where housing costs surged by 15% in the past year.
In response to the crisis, authorities in these countries are intensifying inspections, implementing stricter licensing systems, and seeking increased cooperation from booking platforms. Despite warnings and fines, a recent report revealed 7,000 illegal holiday flats in the Balearic Islands. The crackdown aims to level the playing field for legal operators and protect the community.
The message from popular tourist destinations is clear: visitors are welcome as long as they follow the rules and respect local residents. Spain, facing a housing emergency, estimates a need for up to a million new homes in the next four years to meet demand. Additionally, the cost of living is a concern, with many Spaniards struggling to afford vacations.
Barcelona is leading the way by imposing strict regulations on holiday rentals, with plans to eliminate all licensed short-term rentals by 2028. Mayor Jaume Collboni has announced that no new licenses for tourist flats will be issued after November 2028.
Spain remains a top choice for UK travelers, with nearly 18 million Britons visiting in 2023, surpassing second-place France with 9.2 million visitors.
