**Spain Takes Action Against Airbnb as Over-Tourism Protests Surge**

As protests escalate against the impacts of over-tourism in Spain, officials are cracking down on illegal rental properties on Airbnb to protect housing rights.

The Spanish government is intensifying its efforts to address the growing concerns over housing shortages by pushing for the removal of nearly 66,000 properties listed on Airbnb. This move coincides with a wave of protests against over-tourism, particularly in the Canary Islands, where thousands rallied on Sunday to voice their frustrations.

Pablo Bustinduy, the Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, stated that the properties in question have violated regulations governing tourist accommodations. This announcement follows a court ruling in Madrid that mandated Airbnb to withdraw 5,800 listings. The crackdown targets properties spread across six regions including Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands.

Bustinduy explained that many of the identified listings either did not possess the requisite license numbers, provided incorrect ones, or failed to indicate the legal status of property owners, raising concerns about whether they were operating as professional rentals or as individuals. He emphasized that this ruling represents a significant step towards safeguarding the right to housing, asserting that economic interests should not prevail over housing rights.

Amid rising rental costs, housing has become a critical concern for many Spaniards, with the average rent doubling over the last decade, while wages have stagnated. Local residents have increasingly blamed short-term rental listings for the housing crisis, alleging that they take away much-needed accommodation. As the second most visited country in the world, Spain is projected to receive 94 million foreign visitors in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged the issue, stating, “there are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes,” and vowed to limit the unchecked proliferation of tourist rental properties. In Barcelona, local government has set plans to cut its 10,000 short-term tourist rentals by 2028. However, Airbnb has countered the government's stance, arguing that they intend to appeal the rulings, stating that there has been no proof of violation by the hosts. The company advocates that the overarching problem lies in the lack of housing supply, not in short-term rentals like theirs.

The sparks of unrest from last summer's protests are reigniting, as public dissatisfaction over the relationship between tourism and housing intensifies. Demonstrations are expected to continue, with groups like "Menys Turisme, Més Vida" in Majorca planning actions for June 15th. The future debates over tourism management and housing rights are likely to dominate discussions around Spain’s approach to balancing economic interests with community welfare.