The Balearic parliament yesterday ratified the decree that was issued by the government to overcome the "inconsistency" that was caused by the vote on the holiday rentals legislation in July. This "inconsistency" arose because Podemos refused to agree to a specific article. The consequence of this was that, in effect, apartment rentals were neither legal nor illegal. Podemos had also been insisting on provision for declarations of emergency housing. These would mean a ban on holiday apartment rentals.
With the approval, said tourism minister Biel Barceló, the law will return to be as it was when the government presented it. It will also be "effective", pointing out that the the main websites, such as Airbnb, have already advised users about the new regulations and asked them to remove any illegal properties. He added that the number of holiday rental properties advertised on websites has begun to fall, while those for residential rental has increased. He concluded that, under conditions established in law and subject to zoning eligibility being decided by the island councils, holiday rentals in apartment buildings "will be possible".
For the government parties, PSOE and Més, there was agreement that the July vote had caused an "inconsistency". Bel Oliver of PSOE said that the housing problem has been a concern of the government from day one and she drew attention to measures adopted by the land ministry to deal with it. Aitor Morràs of Podemos attacked the effects of tourist "massification" on the labour market and the environment as well on the right to housing.
Miquel Jerez for the opposition Partido Popular criticised the demands and "absurdities" of Podemos, adding that "Podemos has the government on the ropes" until the end of the current administration. He accused the government of not having a clear tourism model for the Balearics and of it legislating "like a headless chicken". Saying that Barceló's continuation as minister was "delegitimised", he called on the minister to resign. Barceló replied that he would not be giving up.
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Hi i have always travelled to the island for holiday but when the island was broke 5 years ago no one morned about the tourists coming only about the young moving away for work and now the island is rich again 90 % of gdp Is thought tourist revenue you will soon be broke again because southern spain and Portugal will be come more in to play and than see what happens the young will be moving again and than what ????????? No money on island
It won't be just a full season - many business such as local bars, restaurants and shops may never recover from this idiocy. Clearly Palma itself may have an issue but what is different about Palma to London, Edinburgh, York, Paris, Rome or (insert your own tourist destination here). However, for the rest of the Island, thousands of small businesses depend upon the self catering visitors to spend their money - something which hotel guest by and large don't. I can't see the attraction of visiting a run down boarded up former resort - we've got Blackpool much closer to home if we needed it!
Good news that apartments can rented as most people want to stay in apartments and good news for bars and restaraunts now let's get the licences issued ASAP because I'm sure every one wants to legal so don't make it hard slow process we can't wait to July
'Biel Barceló said that holiday rentals in apartment buildings "will be possible".'Well get deciding on the zones and sort it out. Waiting till July is too late! A full season will be destroyed for some resorts.