The variety of short-term vacationer allows these well-liked vacation islands has virtually halved up to now yr.
The variety of short-term vacationer allows these well-liked vacation islands has virtually halved in a yr (Picture: Getty)
Residents in one among Spain’s hottest vacationer hotspots who’ve just lately taken to the streets to oppose the proliferation of short-term vacationer lets (STRs) have trigger to rejoice, due to newly revealed information. The variety of STRs in Majorca and Ibiza has virtually halved in 2025 in comparison with the earlier yr, in accordance with Spain’s main non-profit tourism affiliation, Exceltur.
As Spain’s current crackdown on vacation properties and overtourism begins to ship outcomes, the availability of STRs inside the well-liked vacationer islands is now 80% decrease than in 2017, Exceltur has revealed. Nationwide, listings fell by 4% within the second half of the yr in comparison with 2024, marking the primary decline for Spain. Nonetheless, tendencies assorted throughout the 25 largest cities. This comes after Spain’s aggressive regulatory measures, imposed by the Spanish Authorities final yr, to fight mass tourism.
Spain launched a nationwide crackdown on STRs via platforms like Airbnb (Picture: Getty)
In 2025, Spain launched a nationwide crackdown on STRs. This included each itemizing now requiring a verified license quantity that’s cross-referenced routinely by platforms like Airbnb and Reserving.com. Authorities have additionally considerably elevated fines for homeowners working and not using a license, with penalties now reaching as much as €80,000 (£69,300).
On a extra native stage, Ibiza has ramped up inspections to seek out unauthorised listings, in accordance with the native Authorities’s web site, whereas Barcelona plans to ban all vacation properties by the top of the last decade.
The crackdown is a direct response to the housing emergency that’s notably prevalent within the Balearic Islands, the place native residents have been priced out of the market. By decreasing the variety of vacationer leases, the Authorities goals to return 1000’s of flats to the long-term residential market.
In keeping with Exceltur’s information, Ibiza and Majorca skilled the steepest decline in STRs, whereas mainland coastal hubs, corresponding to Málaga and Almería, proceed to extend their provide of vacationer lodging.
Vacation properties have been outpacing lodge development for a number of years, with almost one-third of vacationers nonetheless choosing these properties, which stay extra reasonably priced than lodges. Ibiza delivered Spain’s highest lodge income per room final yr at €170 (£147) – up 6% from 2024, Exceltur mentioned, in accordance with the Majorca Day by day Bulletin.
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This new information comes simply days after it was revealed that the Spanish Authorities has launched rules which permit non-public homeowners to hire out their boats – so-called “nautical Airbnbs” – for as much as three months a yr in Majorca, efficient January 1. The native backlash has been linked to fears that boat leases will mirror the spike in STRs on the island lately.
Pedro Gill, of Majorca’s constitution firms affiliation, warned that an inflow of boats manned by vacationers may create “chaos” within the island’s ports.
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