Palma is very popular with tourists, but local residents are unhappy
As reported by BBC, the mayor of Palma stated that this measure will set an example for other cities suffering from mass tourism. "Palma is a decisive and bold city. We agreed to the ban based on the interests of the citizens, and we think it will set a trend for other cities that will see that the basis of this is defining a balance," said Mayor Antoni Noguera.
It is not yet clear whether the ban applies only to private apartments rented through apps and websites. Houses and cottages will not be subject to restrictions, except those in protected areas, in close proximity to airports, and in industrial zones.
In Palma, as in many other cities around the world, the flow of tourists has increased. This is partly due to the increase in rental housing offerings through mobile apps and websites.
Representatives of the local ruling coalition, consisting mainly of left-wing parties, cited as their main argument the results of a study according to which the number of unlicensed apartments offered for rent to tourists increased by 50% from 2015 to 2017. According to the Spanish newspaper El País, out of 11,000 apartments rented to tourists in Palma, only 645 have the necessary license.
The local population is unhappy with rising prices due to tourism. It is reported that since 2013, rent in Palma has increased by 40%. There is also dissatisfaction with the deterioration of conditions in areas that have become popular among tourists due to noise and unruly behavior.
Chief city architect José Hila stated: "There is a parallel between the development of tourist rental housing and the rise in rental prices. All European cities are rapidly transforming due to this process. Order is necessary. In Palma, it will be possible to rent tourist accommodation, but only where it should be."
In 2017, Palma banned advertising of unlicensed apartments. Violation of this rule was punishable by large fines. Barcelona also introduced similar restrictions.
Last year, Spain set a record for the number of tourists – 82 million people visited. The most popular were Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
The president of the federation of residents' communities of Palma, Joan Fortesa, welcomed the decision of local authorities, which was preceded by a petition with 6,000 signatures, reports the newspaper Diario de Mallorca. However, the local organization Pimeco, which represents the interests of small businesses, stated that renting housing to tourists has led to increased consumer demand and has become an important source of income for many apartment owners.
The association Habtur, which oversees the rental of housing to tourists, stated that not only property owners but also restaurants and shops will suffer, and as a result, people may lose their jobs.