The mayor of the Spanish city of Barcelona has pledged to eliminate short-term tourist rentals in the city within five years.
Socialist Jaume Collboni told a news conference he did not plan to renew any of the 10,101 tourist licenses granted to owners when they expire in November 2028.
Mr Collboni said the apartments, which are currently advertised on platforms such as Airbnb and Homeaway, would instead be available to locals.
Politicians opposed to the move accused it of undermining property rights.
Mr Collboni said the measure would be equivalent to “the construction of 10,000 new homes”.
To justify this project, he said that rents had increased by 70% over the last ten years and had become unaffordable.
“More housing supply is needed, and the measures we are introducing today aim to provide more housing,” he added.
Barcelona has been facing a limited supply of housing for years.
Politicians blame the high rate of tourism as well as the city’s growing status as a technology hub attracting foreign workers.
New construction has not kept pace with growing demand, driving up prices.
Reacting to Mr Collboni’s announcement, some left-wing councilors said 2028 was too far in the future for people who they said were now being forced out of the city.
Janet Sanz asked: “Can we wait until 2028?
Right-wing politicians have accused Mr. Collboni of undermining property rights.
“Barcelona City Hall cannot resemble the Bolivarian regime,” wrote the leader of the Popular Party of Barcelona, Dani Sirera, referring to the government of Venezuela, accused of expropriation of properties.
The Barcelona Tourist Apartments Association said the change would result in apartments being illegally rented to tourists.
This policy is only a “smoke screen” to hide the failure of Mr. Collboni’s housing policy, he adds.
In recent months, thousands of people have demonstrated in parts of Spain, including the Canary Islands, against the effects of mass tourism, which they say is harming the environment and driving out residents.
