Barcelona STR Regulatory Q&A with Enrique Alcántara of Apartur
The SCALE team spoke to Enrique Alcántara, president of Apartur to get his perspective on the proposed ban of short-term rentals in Barcelona.
The Barcelona Association of Tourist Apartments (Apartur) has represented the STR sector in the province of Barcelona since 2004. Working with hundreds of members to defend their interests against prohibitive legislation, unite and give better visibility to the sector and coordinate communication with local authorities and national government.
We asked five questions and received five very balanced answers with intelligent solutions which could avoid the disastrous and knee jerk decision from Barcelona mayor, Jaume Collboni.
What do you think about the proposal to ban short-term rentals in Barcelona by 2028 and what are your immediate concerns regarding this decision?
I think it is a populist decision for the municipal government to get rid of the protests against housing prices and excessive tourism. It would be very bad news for the city since it would wipe out 40% of tourist accommodation. About 4-5% of the city’s GDP would fall for this reason, generating an economic crisis that would push the city into unemployment and poverty.
What impact do you anticipate this ban will have on local business operations and revenues both in the short and long term?
In general, homeowners and investors will be more cautious and reluctant to invest in property improvements, due to the short payback period in the event of licence expiration. This can lead not only to a decline in the quality of accommodation but also in lowering the quality of tourism that Barcelona currently attracts. In turn, it could also drive a decrease in ADRs (Average Daily Rates).
Do you think the proposed ban in Barcelona could have a knock on effect in other cities and regions of Spain?
Without doubt. What happens in Barcelona always serves as a model for other cities. Right now, several destinations are following the limiting path through urban plans that took place in Barcelona 9 years ago. History repeats itself in each destination over the years.
Do you think there are alternative solutions or compromises that could address concerns about housing shortages and over tourism, without completely banning short-term rentals?
There are always solutions if the city council is willing to listen.
- The first is to take a metropolitan perspective, Barcelona cannot be solved without taking into account neighbouring municipalities.
- Second, we must study why owners continue to shy away from traditional long-term rentals as they have done for years, and which aspects of the housing law need to be changed to give owners more security in collecting their rents.
- Third, we must study why new homes have not been built in Barcelona in the last six years and to change this trend. It’s essential to build housing.
- Fourth, a study must be carried out to identify if there is too much land dedicated to offices which should be converted into housing.
If you have questions about what’s happening in Barcelona or would like to become a member of Apartur, get in touch with Enrique and the team:
Tel: +34 93.315.27.96
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://apartur.com/
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to hear this perspective. It would so detrimental to the industry if other cities followed this.