The Madrid city council is considering publishing a list of legal housing for tourist use (VUT) to inform both citizens and tourists about their locations, according to Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida. He expressed his support for regulating rather than banning this type of housing at a tourism event in Spanish and Portuguese cities organized by the Barcelona Society of Economic and Social Studies (SBEES), which is part of the Catalan employers’ association Foment del Treball.
Recent measures include increased fines for properties that do not comply with regulations and the hiring of 10 new inspectors to enforce rules. The mayor emphasized that illegal homes should not be profitable. Almeida stressed the need to balance tourism promotion with maintaining the city’s quality of life, stating that Madrid must be the best city to live in to attract visitors.
The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, emphasized the importance of intercontinental connections in attracting international tourists, alluding to the expansion of Barcelona Airport. He called for an emphasis on quality and added value per visitor per day to diversify products and promote qualified tourism. The president of the Catalan employers’ association, Josep Sánchez Llibre, urged for a strong government with a clear economic policy to lead Spain and project Catalonia globally.
In conclusion, discussions at the event highlighted the need for a strategic approach to tourism that enhances economic growth while preserving the city’s identity and quality of life. Efforts to regulate tourist apartments and improve the overall tourism experience were emphasized as crucial for the sustainable development of cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
