On June 29th, Málaga witnessed a significant gathering as thousands of residents took to the streets to protest against skyrocketing rental prices driven by mass tourism. Organized by the Tenants’ Union, the demonstration aimed to spotlight the long-standing issue of affordable housing in the city. Protesters marched under the banner, ‘For living, not just surviving,’ emphasizing their desire to reclaim Málaga as a place for residents, not just tourists.

Tourism’s Impact on Housing Availability

Málaga currently has over 12,000 registered tourist accommodations, ranking it third in Spain, behind only Madrid and Barcelona. This increase, as well as many unregistered units, has significantly reduced the availability of rental housing for locals. The city added more than seven new tourist accommodations daily in 2023, exacerbating the housing shortage and pushing residents to less touristy areas.

The Protest: A Call for Change

According to the National Police, the protest saw over 5,000 participants, though organizers claimed the number was as high as 25,000. Demonstrators voiced their frustration with the city’s mayor, Francisco de la Torre (PP), accusing him of failing to address the housing crisis and regulate the tourism industry effectively. Slogans like ‘Paco is selling what’s left of the city’ echoed through the streets, reflecting the deep-seated concerns about the loss of Málaga’s identity.

Gigantesca e histórica manifestación hoy en Málaga contra la especulación inmobiliaria, el turismo de masas y todo lo que representa el derechista Paco de la Torre del PP. Impresionante. pic.twitter.com/l6aTrXjn6l

— Fonsi Loaiza (@FonsiLoaiza) June 29, 2024

Skyrocketing Rental Prices

With annual increases exceeding 10% and peaks of 24.4% in the rental market in Málaga, has made finding affordable housing nearly impossible for many locals. Many of the protesters highlighted that the price hike is affecting the younger people from Málaga stating how they are finding it difficult to afford a home.

The shared sentiment among the protesters is clear: Málaga must balance tourism with the needs of its residents. The call for change is loud and urgent, with residents demanding a sustainable tourism model that preserves the city’s identity and ensures affordable housing for all. Many of the protesters made the point of saying they are not against tourists just the mismanagement of tourism by the government.

Mass tourism is making the headlines on a weekly basis with Barcelona announcing a ban on tourist apartments and similar protests taking place in Gran Canaria and Mallorca. What are your views of tourism in Spain, let us know in the comments…

Main image: x/@EnriqueViguera