Popular Spain hotspot loved by Brits launches another tourist crackdown | Travel News | Travel

A popular hotspot loved by British tourists has launched another crackdown to deal with growing overtourism. 

Ibiza council and Airbnb have reportedly entered into a “historic” agreement to remove illegal tourist accommodation from the platform, reports Olive Press News. 

Under the “pioneering” plan, the illegal properties will be removed from the website, including caravans, tents, yurts and boats. 

This means the properties will be taken down “without discussion or appeal” in order to prevent costly legal delays. 

The agreement has been signed by Ibiza council leader, Vicent Mari and Spanish Airbnb director, Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago.

Other entities have also been involved in the talks, including the Ibiza Tourist Accommodation Association (AVAT), the Ibiza and Formentera Hotelier Federation (FEHIF) and the Ibiza Tourism Board. 

Mari said: “Airbnb has chosen Ibiza to establish their fight against the intrusion of tourist flats.

“The island is small but a big player in Spain’s tourism industry.”

Over 300 adverts have been taken down and Airbnb users during the first 15 days of the operation. 

According to the rules, Airbnb users who violate the law will also face being blocked from the platform.

In Ibiza, there are 100 open cases, which is expected to reach over 200 with the introduction of new measures. 

Ibiza has seen growing protests from locals who are demanding stricter limits on tourism, driven by concerns over overtourism’s impact on the island’s environment, housing, and social fabric. 

Activists and residents are pushing for a reduction in the number of tourists visiting the island, with particular emphasis on limiting cruise ships, private jets, and the promotion of the island as a tourist hotspot. 

These protests are part of a wider movement calling for sustainable tourism, with demands including the restriction of holiday rentals, improvement of public transport, and measures to prevent further overcrowding.