Residents of Malaga, Spain, are expressing frustration with the impact of booming tourism through a campaign of stickers placed on buildings. These stickers, aimed at tourist apartments, convey messages like “This used to be my home” and “Tourists stink!”
The surge in tourism, residents claim, has disrupted their lives. A key concern is the lack of affordable housing. Many locals point to skyrocketing rents due to the abundance of short-term rentals catering to tourists.
Dani Drunko, a bar owner, shared his experience of being forced out of his apartment after ten years as the landlord converted it into a tourist rental. He emphasizes the community’s desire for regulations on tourist rentals, not a rejection of tourism itself. He clarifies, “We have no problem with tourists, but we don’t want to be evicted for tourist apartments.”
Local politician Dani Perez echoes these sentiments. He criticizes the city’s inaction on the issue, stating, “Malaga is unrecognizable. You can’t find a building without a lockbox for rentals.”
However, not everyone supports the campaign. Lawyer Juan Luis Gomez argues for a balanced approach. He highlights the economic benefits of tourism and suggests regulating, not eliminating, it.
