The Spanish government fined Airbnb €64 million (£56 million) for promoting illegal properties. Additionally, it stated that renting some of the houses marketed in the well-known tourist area was prohibited.
Due to the fine, Airbnb is required to stop running advertisements for illegal properties. Airbnb stated that it plans to contest the fine in court, despite the Consumer Affairs Ministry’s ruling that it cannot be challenged.
One of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Spain, has a thriving tourism industry, but this has raised concerns that housing costs are too high for locals, driving them out of the market.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s minister of consumer protection, stated in a statement that “thousands of families are living on the edge due to housing, while a few get rich with business models that expel people from their homes. However, Airbnb stated that it was “confident that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs’ actions are counter to applicable regulations in Spain.”
According to a spokesman, Airbnb was “closely collaborating with Spain’s Ministry of Housing to support the enforcement of the new national registration system” since the country’s short-term rental laws changed in July.
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