Illegal holiday lets are currently under scrutiny in the Balearic Islands, Spain, after new data has revealed that over two million tourists stayed in private homes or unregulated accommodation in 2023. According to Frontur statistics from the National Statistics Institute (INE) for 2023, 2.3 million tourists stayed with friends or family or used illegal rentals which has contributed to overcrowding on the islands, reported the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
The data suggested that more tourists are opting to stay in private homes or unregulated accommodation as opposed to registered hotels or holiday lets. As such, out of the 17.8 million tourists visiting the Balearic Islands in the record-breaking year of 2023, nearly 20% did not pay for traditional accommodation, possibly staying in illegal lodgings instead.
Have you stayed with family in Spain recently and seen the impact of 'over-tourism' on the community? Email us at [email protected] Additionally, around one million tourists spent their holidays in their second homes, meaning they didn't spend a penny on typical hotel accommodation, or the eco-tax associated with tourist accommodation. The influx of short-term rental accommodation has caused a housing crisis in Spain, especially in major cities and tourist hotspots.
In May, Spanish authorities announced that they would be implementing stricter regulations on illegal rentals. Under new laws passed by the Balearic Government, landlords who fail to register to pay Spain's .
