TOURIST housing in La Manga, Cabo de Palos and nearby golf resorts now dominates the rental market in Murcia, particularly around San Javier and Cartagena.
Murcia has seen a 30 percent increase in tourist accommodation since 2022
About 30 percent of the region’s tourist accommodation is concentrated in these popular coastal areas, thanks largely to platforms like Airbnb. This boom in short-term rentals has raised concerns about housing availability and prompted several Spanish regions to impose restrictions. For example, Barcelona plans to ban temporary rentals until 2028, and Madrid recently suspended new rental licenses.
Airbnb growth raises regional concerns about housing availability
Although not as badly affected as other regions, Murcia has seen a significant increase in the number of vacation rentals, which have increased by 30 percent since 2022 to almost 7,900 units. La Manga and Cabo de Palos are hotspots, with the highest concentration of rentals found near golf resorts. Multi-property managers who manage multiple properties on platforms such as Airbnb are playing a key role in this growth. Rental prices for entire apartments average €65 per night, although factors such as local environmental conditions can affect prices, particularly in popular areas such as Mar Menor.
Balancing tourism growth and affordable housing
Local residents and housing activists have expressed concern that the growth of tourist rentals is affecting the availability and affordability of long-term housing. The trend towards short-term holiday homes has raised fears that prices are pricing locals out of the market, particularly in coastal communities such as La Manga and Cabo de Palos.
Despite these challenges Murcia’s tourism sector continues to benefit from the increasing popularity of short-term rental accommodation, which has made a significant contribution to the local economy. However, as the market grows, the region faces the delicate task of maintaining tourism while protecting its housing market for future generations.
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