February 16th 2025.
As the warm sun shone down on the bustling streets of Malaga, protesters could be seen holding up their hand-written placards, their voices raised in passionate protest. Meanwhile, tourists lounged on the terraces of nearby bars, enjoying their vacation in this Spanish resort city. However, behind the scenes, a different story was unfolding.
According to reports, there has been a significant decline in holiday home bookings in Malaga, with tens of thousands of reservations being cancelled. The Olive Press, a Spanish newspaper, revealed that in the peak season of last year, there were 37,000 fewer reservations for tourist apartments compared to the year before.
This drop in demand can be attributed to the locals, who have become more aware of the consequences of the oversaturation of the tourism market and the rising rents. The Tourist Apartment Occupancy Survey showed that from July to November, only 571,773 people stayed in apartments, a decrease from the 609,277 reservations made during the same period in 2023. The College of Economists in Malaga stated that this decline was due to a decrease in domestic demand and a shortage of available holiday accommodation.
Interestingly, while Spaniards seemed to be avoiding Malaga, the number of foreign tourists actually increased during the same period. 419,581 travelers from abroad were recorded last year, a jump from 395,679 in 2023. Although the exact reasons for the overall decline in bookings were not specified, it is suspected that the high profile protests against over-tourism played a role.
In fact, protests have been taking place across Spain and the Canary Islands, with locals demanding stricter regulations to address the issues caused by mass tourism. Slogans such as "Tourists go home - we spit in your beer" and "p*ss" have become popular amongst the protesters, who are primarily concerned with the impact on local residents. They argue that the increase in short-term rentals has led to a shortage of long-term housing options and caused rents to skyrocket.
But it's not just the housing crisis that has sparked these protests. Some residents are also frustrated with tourists for their lack of respect for the local culture. Last summer, posters were put up around Malaga reminding tourists to dress appropriately and keep their tops on in public. This is just one example of how the authorities are starting to listen to the concerns of the locals.
In fact, a new three-year law was recently introduced in Malaga, which has been dubbed a "tourist ban" by some. However, this is a misleading term as the law does not actually ban tourists from visiting the city. Instead, it aims to control the number of holiday rental properties in the most crowded areas and give locals a better chance of finding long-term rentals. This measure has already been implemented in Alicante and Madrid, with other cities, including Seville, planning to follow suit.
For tourists planning to visit Malaga, there is no need to worry. They can still book accommodation as usual, including hotels, Airbnbs, and other rentals. The only properties that will be affected by the new law are holiday flats that were registered after February 2022 and do not have separate access and resources for permanent residents. These properties will have their licenses cancelled, as reported by the Mirror.
In addition to the "tourist ban", there are other new laws in Spain that tourists should be aware of. For example, non-EU residents, including those from the UK, will now have to pay 100% tax on any property they purchase in Spain. This is one of the measures introduced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to address the country's housing crisis. Taxes on holiday rentals have also been increased, which could potentially lead to higher prices for tourists.
Despite the challenges and protests surrounding tourism in Malaga, it remains a popular destination for travelers. With the new laws in place, it is hoped that the city can find a balance between maintaining its appeal as a tourist hotspot and addressing the concerns of its residents.
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