Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Visitor to Spain will be able to enjoy their holiday in peace if they choose accommodation that doesn’t add to the growing housing crisis of the country.
In the face of protests against tourist apartment blocks in Spain’s major cities, travellers should consider an alternative that is guilt-free: university accommodation. These apartments would otherwise remain empty over summer.
The surge in properties being converted to tourist lets has sparked outrage among locals who blame so-called ‘vulture funds’ for snapping up housing stock and pushing rental prices beyond the reach of ordinary Spaniards.
Nearly half of the properties in Malaga’s historic centre (42%) are apartments for tourists, while the Barrio La Merced is home to 69% of the total.
READ MORE Malaga prepares for new protests. Thousands will march to protest the surge in tourist apartment prices
Barcelona has a 43% rate.
This led to nationwide demonstrations last week, where hundreds of thousand of people marched in support of affordable housing.
Lily Smith of UniversityRooms.com is a travel expert who explains: “While we all want to have a great summer in Spain, no one wants to feel like our vacation was taking away housing for locals or pushing rental prices beyond their budgets.”
READ MORE ‘No more talking!’: Mass uprising in Spain as over 40 cities set to protest the housing crisis – while property prices break new record
University rooms are a great option for visiting visitors in popular expat areas like Andalucia. They’re also a good choice because they’re ethical and affordable.
The Residencia Universitaria Alberto Jimenez Fraud, in Malaga, features 90 apartments that have ensuite bathrooms, kitchenettes and living rooms with prices that do not change even in August.
You can also choose from Madrid’s Abay Moncloa Residence and Barcelona’s BLAU Student Accommodation with its air-conditioned studios.
Spain is the top holiday destination in Britain, with more than 18 million visitors to Spain last year.
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