The Efforts of Consell d´Eivissa, Airbnb, and National Police Lead to Identification of Over 100 Anonymous Profiles Involved in Illegally Marketing Tourist Accommodations in Ibiza
Rising Against Anonymity
The Consell d´Eivissa, in collaboration with the Airbnb platform and the National Police, has made significant progress in curbing the irregular marketing of tourist accommodations in Ibiza. The joint protocol, initiated in a bid to tackle intrusionism, has successfully exposed over 100 anonymous profiles that were illicitly promoting tourist flats across the island.
Ending the Veil of Anonymity
Vice President of the island, Mariano Juan, and the individual responsible for the Fight against Intrusionism, emphasized that often the individual renting out an illegal tourist home is not the owner but a third party. Identifying these intermediaries became a crucial goal, as Juan highlighted. He pointed out that owners who knowingly engage in irregular marketing will also face penalties. “Anonymity is over,” asserted Mariano Juan.
Progressive Measures and Results
Since the establishment of the Office to Combat Intrusion at the end of 2019, more than 170 sanctions have been imposed for such activities. These sanctions represent a significant leap from the approximately 50 cases pursued during the preceding Consell administration. Mariano Juan emphasized that the monetary value of these sanctions has exceeded 1,000,000 euros. However, it’s important to note that this sum encompasses the entire Department of Tourist Planning and not just illegal tourist apartments. Despite this, the figure is remarkable, considering that during the previous administration, the collections for such infractions amounted to around 80,000 euros.
Embracing New Approaches
Juan reiterated that the Office to Combat Intrusion shouldn’t just be a place for processing files; it should act as a catalyst for innovative mechanisms that enhance the overall process. In the pursuit of novel ways to identify potential irregular marketers, the Minister underlined the need to collaborate with the Balearic Government to push for changes in European guidelines. These changes would hold platforms accountable for the content they advertise, a responsibility they have thus far evaded. Therefore, finding a method for platforms to automatically verify the legality of their listings becomes essential. This shift could redefine the scope of responsibility for platforms that have significantly transformed the landscape of tourist rentals in the European Union.
Towards Effective Solutions
Regarding the possibility of sealing an identified illegal tourist apartment, Juan reminded that the Government has committed to reviewing the Consell’s proposal. He stressed that this is a shared issue across all islands. He believed that the emphasis should be on not only imposing sanctions to curb the problem but also on preventing the infractions through various mechanisms, including legal avenues.
Persistent Strides
In recent months, the Consell d´Eivissa has initiated numerous proceedings against the illicit marketing of tourist accommodations. As 2023 commenced, the institution reported the resolution of 41 cases from the previous year.
Rising Collections and Regulations
The highest island authority proclaimed that they have tripled the fines collected for these types of irregularities compared to previous administrations. It’s essential to remember that in Ibiza, the rental of apartments to tourists is prohibited. Only the leasing of single-family homes to tourists is allowed, provided they are properly registered and the requisite fees have been paid.
In one reported case, the Consell imposed a 20,000-euro penalty on a Spanish citizen for promoting illegal tourist housing in the heart of Ibiza. The individual had listed the property on a well-known platform dedicated to such rentals, charging 450 euros per night, inclusive of amenities like linens, television, WiFi, and an additional cleaning fee of 50 euros.
Throughout the year, the Consell d´Eivissa has consistently reported on these types of sanctions. Last May, they levied fines against five more marketers for illegally renting out tourist accommodations in Vila, Jesús, and Sant Josep. These penalties included four fines of 20,000 euros each and one fine of 40,000 euros.
