The UK’s main tour operator has blamed overtourism on unlicensed lodging rented out on platforms similar to Airbnb.
Steve Heapy, chief govt of Jet2 Holidays and the Jet.com airline, informed The Impartial: “The issue with overtourism is unlicensed lodging – these properties which might be rented privately.
“For years, the licensed tourism mannequin labored. You knew what number of motels there have been and what number of rooms. So 100 motels, 100 rooms, averaging 2.5 individuals in a room, that is 25,000 individuals per week within the resort.
“You knew what it was, you might handle it. With the proliferation of unlicensed tourism, it’s totally laborious to foretell – and that is put strain on native providers. Residents understandably have change into upset with noisy neighbourhoods and growing hire.
“These properties fairly often do not have a tourism licence. They do not have well being and security checks like all our motels do. Fairly often the individuals who hire the properties do not pay tax on their revenue.
“So there is no cash being recycled from the enterprise enterprise again into the local people.”
The Jet2 boss was talking at an occasion hosted by the Spanish Embassy in London to handle points with mass tourism. It follows widespread protests within the Balearics and Canary Islands, in addition to in cities similar to Barcelona.
Mr Heapy proposes a clampdown on unauthorised leases utilizing a “thriller shopper” strategy, with authorities inspectors reserving properties on-line after which turning as much as examine the paperwork.
“For me it is very easy,” he stated. “E-book just a few issues on Airbnb. Discover out who owns the property. Go and knock on the door. Then say, ‘Hiya, I am from the federal government. I’ve simply booked your property on Airbnb. Can I see your tourism licence, your well being and security certificates and your tax returns? Oh, and also you’re supposed to gather a tourism tax as properly, that is levied on folks that keep in motels. It is solely honest that you simply pay it as properly, so present me all of your invoices for that?’
“If they cannot present them, tremendous them no matter – 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 quid? Unlicensed tourism and leases will drop by 90 per cent in a single day, and that is what’s inflicting the disruption.
“I’ve obtained nothing in opposition to individuals renting properties per se, however it needs to be a degree taking part in subject. They have to be topic to the identical guidelines and rules that we do, which is a tourism licence, full well being and security examine, and pay the tax that is due so that may go to profit the native inhabitants.”
In its phrases, Airbnb tells hosts: “You’re chargeable for understanding and complying with any legal guidelines, guidelines, rules and contracts with third events that apply to your itemizing … Some jurisdictions require hosts to register, get a allow, or acquire a licence earlier than offering sure host providers similar to short-term leases.”
Responding to Mr Heapy’s feedback, an Airbnb spokesperson stated: “Fewer planes needs to be allowed to land in Barcelona if the town needs fewer vacationers. Greater than seven in 10 guests to Barcelona keep in motels and what Steve Heapy is failing to say is that it’s in reality the growth of motels that has pushed mass tourism throughout Europe, with six occasions extra lodge beds than Airbnb beds in Barcelona’s historic centre and motels accounting for 90 per cent of visitor nights in Amsterdam and the Balearics.
“Between 2021 and 2023, the variety of vacationers in Barcelona has greater than doubled with 70 per cent of this enhance pushed by lodge friends.
“Calls to impose restrictions, crimson tape and costs on Airbnb hosts solely defend lodge chains’ earnings on the expense of native households who’re incomes a little bit more money by renting their place for just a few days a month, and whose friends contribute drastically to the native economic system.”
On the occasion, Juan Antonio Amengual, the mayor of Calvia in Mallorca – which incorporates the resort of Magaluf – stated: “A vacationer is a pal. They’re our major useful resource. We have to take care of them. We would like them to be a part of our system.”
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