The future of short-term rentals in Barcelona is uncertain, especially after Mayor Jaume Collboni’s pledge to phase out this type of accommodation by 2028. In this context, the Barcelona Tourist Apartment Association (Apartur) conducted a survey among attendees of the 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC), revealing that 84% of respondents believe that banning short-term rentals would be a problem.
Impact on Accommodation Availability and Pricing
According to the survey results, eliminating tourist apartments could have severe consequences for the city’s hospitality sector. Currently, these rentals account for 40% of the available beds in Barcelona each day. Their removal could lead to a significant increase in hotel prices and a reduction in affordable and flexible lodging options for visitors.
Additionally, short-term rental occupancy during MWC exceeds 95%, with more than 30,000 attendees staying in these properties. The survey also found that 87% of respondents prefer that Barcelona continues to offer tourist apartments as a complement to hotels.
Tourism and the Local Economy
Business tourism is a key economic driver for Barcelona, and MWC is one of the most impactful events for the city. Concerns are growing among attendees and organizers that banning short-term rentals could affect Barcelona’s ability to host large-scale conferences and events.
According to Apartur, the City Council’s intention to eliminate tourist apartments puts Barcelona’s appeal as an international event destination at risk. Attendees highlight group accommodation, prime locations, and value for money as the main reasons they choose this type of lodging.
The Role in International Events
One of the main arguments against short-term rentals is their impact on neighborhood life, particularly regarding noise disturbances and uncontrolled occupancy. However, technological solutions like those offered by Roomonitor can efficiently manage these issues. Real-time noise monitoring and occupancy detection help ensure that tourist apartments operate responsibly and respectfully within the local community.
The future of tourism in Barcelona requires a balance between regulation and technology to safeguard both residents’ well-being and the city’s competitiveness as a global business and tourism hub.