EDITOR'S COMMENT
• The regulatory dilemma in Barcelona was one of the major talking points in the space in 2024, but the intervention of Spain's Constitutional Court in backing a holiday rental ban in the city is yet another spanner in the works for industry associations advocating for fair, proportionate regulations.
After Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni unveiled his radical proposal to ban holiday rentals for tourists by November 2028 - a measure designed to increase housing supply, address the affordable housing shortage and combat rising rental prices, the Constitutional Court in Madrid has now ruled that the regional decree "does not constitute a suppression of property rights", rejecting the appeals of private property owners.
It comes after associations and platforms including the European Holiday Home Association [EHHA], the UK Short Term Accommodation [STAA], Apartur and Airbnb urged the regional government to reconsider its landmark draft in November, citing other factors such as population growth, insufficient housing investment and rigid urban planning as contributing to perceived overtourism in major tourism destinations.
We can see how national institutions are now starting to take the challenges related to housing more seriously, though it is arguably too late and much of the damage from scapegoating the short-term rental industry has already been done to instead favour increasing hotel supply. However, the intervention of Portugal's Constitutional Court in rejecting a holiday rental referendum in Lisbon in January could provide some encouragement that dialogue and consultation will eventually lead to a sensible solution.
• Now that the shortlists for the 2025 Shortyz Awards have been announced [full list here], it's time to book your tickets here for the in-person awards ceremony on Tuesday 1 April. Taking place at the Westin London City Hotel, this is the first time that the Shortyz will feature a three-course sit down dinner and a 'dress to impress, you do you' dress code, plus you can expect some magical entertainment and several unmissable surprises too.
And make sure to visit our stand at the Short Stay Summit at Old Billingsgate on Wednesday 2 April [the day after the Shortyz], when our new editor Priya will be hosting a 'meet and greet' at our media partner stand.
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