San Sebastián is proposing a ban on new hotels to encourage a more sustainable approach to tourism, which could come into force next year.
The Spanish city’s government is set to follow in the footsteps of Palma de Mallorca, which banned new Airbnbs in 2018, a move replicated in Florence earlier this year. Seville, meanwhile, now has a ban specifically on stag and hen dos, while Barcelona is reportedly also considering what can be done to stop overtourism.
San Sebastián’s mayor, Eneko Goia, said that parts of the city will be declared “saturated” because their supply of holiday accommodation is already plentiful.
Hotels that are already open can remain so but the move is likely to force up prices in the city centre if demand grows.
Mr Goia said: "The supply of tourist accommodation is sufficient and it is time to limit the opening of new businesses."
The move has been instigated as the city has a reported 10 tourists for every 100 residents. While visitors are helpful to the economy, San Sebastian’s urban planning strategy states that it has affected its culture to the extent that anti-tourist graffiti has been spotted.
Mr Goia has stopped short of calling for a ban on visitors and the city, which is popular with Brits, remains open to tourists.
Iñigo Etxebeste, who manages San Sebastián Apartments, told the Express: "For existing hotels who already have their clientele, this move means new potential competitors won't be able to operate, and therefore all the incoming tourists will need to stay in these existing hotels.
"Thus, I foresee hotels will enjoy even higher occupancy rates, and with even higher prices per night, due to the increased demand and unchanged offer in the market."
