Spain, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, is suffering from the fallout from its record 94 million tourists last year. The government is taking steps to address concerns about overtourism, with a special emphasis on the effect on home affordability, without outright prohibiting travel.
Complaints over crowding, the impact on water supplies, and—most importantly—a housing problem in large cities have resulted from the increase in tourists. Finding affordable housing has become challenging for locals, especially young people, due to skyrocketing rental and house costs, particularly in Barcelona and Madrid. One of the main causes of this issue is said to be short-term rentals, which frequently serve tourists.
