Redaccion Preferente

🏡 In the Balearic Islands, 90,000 new tourist accommodation spots were regulated this week, drawing from a housing stock of around 500,000 homes. This move has sparked criticism from unions, business associations, and environmental advocates due to its impact on local identity and housing accessibility. Airbnb's model has been blamed for a real estate bubble on the island, and its rapid spread has matched the room count that took 60 years for hotels to regulate. The vacation rental trend has also disrupted urban planning, reduced tax revenue, and created fewer jobs compared to traditional hotels.

🏘️ Natalia Bueno, ex-president of the Real Estate Agents of Baleares, discussed fraud in vacation rentals, highlighting off-platform promotions in Germany, Sweden, or through repeat clients, often involving under-the-table payments. Mallorquins are relocating to the mainland due to housing cost hikes influenced by Airbnb, with some retirees moving to Valencia or the north on €600 pensions. Despite local identity concerns, authorities defend the right of Baleares families to benefit from tourism, recently legalizing 90,000 rental spots within an island housing stock of 500,000. This stance supports a mass-tourism model criticized by unions, local agencies like Aviba, and British agencies associated with ABTA.

🏕 In Baleares, political options follow a destructive growth model criticized in opposition yet adopted in power. The government defends regulated, quality vacation rentals that provide extra income for families, despite contributing to local exodus due to housing unaffordability. This supports a low-value-added model and disregards resident needs for the tourism market. Legalizing 90,000 vacation rental spots is opposed by unions and travel agencies, signaling a historical decline in the archipelago's essence.

🏖️ Baleares faces a grim day as the regional parliament validates a decree law, implicating both Vox and PP in a housing crisis that shifts homes from residents to tourists. PSIB, Més, and Podemos, formerly proponents of this model, now oppose it. The ten-year loss of nearly 20% of housing stock for local accommodation leads to overcrowding and adversely affects local identity. The decree regularizes around 90,000 out of 500,000 residential places, marking a dark chapter in Baleares' history by prioritizing mass tourism over residents' welfare.

🏢 Hilario Alfaro, president of Madrid Foro Empresarial, representing 350 members, urges for a new airport in Madrid, the launch of Palacio de Congresos de la Castellana, construction of the world's tallest Ferris wheel at 261 meters, a tourist tax for promotion, AVE train to Lisbon by 2030, and hosting the Olympics in 2040. Barajas Airport nearing collapse with four runways, 500 people sleeping in the airport. Proposed Ferris wheel has private sponsorship, would create 500 jobs despite local opposition, and risks being taken by Morocco. Madrid-Lisbon AVE desired by 2030, not 2034, and a bid for the 2040 Olympics is suggested, with Berlin already advancing its candidacy.

💬 In Palma, Mallorca, on May 1st, more than a thousand people marched in a demonstration organized by UGT and CCOO unions, with participation from PSIB, Més, Sumar, IU, and Podemos. Protesters criticized hoteliers amidst ongoing negotiations to increase the wages of 180,000 workers by 8.5% over three years, surpassing inflation expectations. UGT and CCOO demand a 19% raise over three years, referencing a 34.6% wage increase since 2014, 8.3 points above inflation. Hotel employers highlight the sector's 14.8% absenteeism rate, costing €30 million, compared to the national average of 6.7%.