With everyone else, especially the government, talking about sustainable models of tourism, the holiday rentals sector yesterday presented its manifesto for such a model. Various businesses and associations active in the sector will present this document to tourism minister Biel Barceló in seeking to reopen the debate on legislation that "is causing harm to thousands of families who rely on revenue from rentals to support their income".
One of the associations is Aptur. Its president Joan Miralles said that the debate about tourist "massification" was focusing solely on holiday rentals when it was recently reported that 70% of hotels are over-occupied. "In August, only 15% of visitors stayed in holiday rental accommodation. The whole debate is about limiting rentals and not about hotel limits. It is these about which there should be a debate as the law doesn't solve them." Miralles added that the "very complicated" rentals legislation had caused indignation and that it had been badly drafted.
Toni Gomila, a member of the board of the Fevitur national federation of holiday rentals associations, argued that the legislation was the total opposite of regulation as it was a de facto ban through a moratorium with immediate and harmful effects on middle and working-class families. He added that he was convinced that the state would take the legislation before the Constitutional Court because it impacts on state laws over which there is no regional power.
The manifesto calculates that there will be an economic loss of some 100 million euros per annum. And this, it maintains, will be just be the loss for those directly engaged in rentals (put at some 20,000 people). There will be a further 900 million euros loss for local businesses of various kinds.
The legislation does not therefore conform with common objectives within the tourism sector for a model of sustainable tourism.
Signatories to the manifesto, in addition to Aptur and Fevitur, are ADigital, which is the Spanish association for web-based businesses, the Pimem and Pimeco small to medium-sized business associations, Airbnb, Homeaway, Rentalia, Fotocasa, Pimeco, SpainHolidays and Hundredrooms.
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My understanding, gained from a business owner (large scale apt block, fully tourist), is that responsibility for defining who can/cannot rent has been passed to the local mayor. Business owners are still in the dark, confused and angry and still unable to completely guarantee occupancy for next year.
There will always be people flaunting the law, and it is simply about time the government laid down the rules to allow licensing and what tax will be applied and administered and decide who can and can not rent whilst restricting absolute residential apartments (in other words a block which is which has a majority of residents actually living there).Like taxes on businesses for TV's on the terrace and tables on the terrace etc.The major part of tourism which keeps this island thriving is still a complete farce.There is no quick fix here but there could be, but in Mallorca understanding of tourists seeking self accommodation and what they are looking for has been an area authorities (many of whom have hotel connections) have never understood and whilst landlords have a duty to pay taxes this has nothing to do with renters as they simply want a holiday.
Totally see both sides being a resident especially in Palma residential blocks. In resorts no one really lives there full time only used for few weeks a year they will be empty for the rest of the time any never rented long term as the owners use them for holidays, during the time they are empty can be rented to tourists that fuel the resorts economy great for everyone. Residential blocks in Palma are a totally different to holiday apartments in resorts and should be treated as so. How about the community of the block have a vote and decide on the majority ?
Besides the below mentioned effects, the new laws contravene the national constitution, which gives everyone the freedom to let their property to whomever they wish, and for how long. I think that this will be annulled at a higher level, they've tried it before in other parts of Spain and the courts threw it out.
'On trip advisor 2 months ago there was 163 properties to rent in this resort now there is 3'. Why do you think this is Jason? Well said Kell.
Kell. I also agree with you. It's the way it's been done is the problem. If they have a slow decline in lettings in areas that you talk about over a period of a few years then it may work . It's the way it's been done is the problem. We rent in a front line holiday resort amongst hotels. Not residential at all. The local restaurants and bars don't get lots of income from hotel guests compared to the appt rentals. Jason is correct. Hotels open with appts for sale around them and shutters on the local businesses. As far as paying tax then that is a separate issue. However tax revenue will go down as Jason and business owners like him won't be paying tax on no profit.
While I agree that rentals are needed, they need to be controlled. Where I live/own which is residential, 80% of the owners rent out to tourists. It becomes a living hell in the summer. They don't consider us at all. Are they even paying their taxes?!!
Jason. I truly feel sorry for you and all others this will effect. I have spent over three and a half thousand euros into the local economy this year. Next year ?. The 2 appts we use are maybe or maybe not going to be available. Flights are available now. We normally have the 2 or 3 visits booked by the new year. So any backdown in this fiasco needs to be done asap or I for one ( of many) won't be there next year. I'm coming over for a few days to see people I know to say a possible goodbye . It's so sad that a badly put together policy could do this. Good luck .
Rather a scrumpled scruffy bunch?
Let's get this sorted I need the apartment and villa rentals desperately to survive as do most resort based business, otherwise all that is left is cheap all inclusive hotels and we all no how much they spend in the local bars and retaraunts ! On trip advisor 2 months ago there was 163 properties to rent in this resort now there is 3 ! The knock on effect is going hurt every one including the hotels as no one will want to come to a resort that's empty with shut down bars, restaurants etc.