Marbella Town Hall Bans Conversion of Ground-Floor Shops into Tourist Accommodation
In a move to regulate tourist accommodation in private homes, Marbella’s town hall has announced that ground-floor shops and offices will no longer be permitted to transform into tourist lodgings. This decision comes as one of the initial steps taken by the town hall following a study conducted by the University of Malaga, commissioned by the council, to examine the trend of tourist accommodation in the town.
Current State of Tourist Accommodation in Marbella
Currently, Marbella boasts 13,857 dwellings that are used for tourist accommodation. Two areas, in particular, the Old Town and Nueva Andalucía, have seen a significant increase in these types of properties. Mayor Ángeles Muñoz has stated that while there is no immediate risk or problem, it is necessary to monitor, study, and take measures regarding this trend, which has been a part of Marbella since the 1960s.
Protecting the Community Feel of Neighborhoods
Mayor Ángeles Muñoz has expressed concern that allowing the conversion of business premises into tourist accommodation could harm the community. She believes that such a move would not only be a disservice to the residents but also risk losing the unique appearance and community feel that neighborhoods should maintain.
First Step Towards Regulating Tourist Accommodation
This ban on the conversion of ground-floor shops into tourist accommodation is the first recommendation that the town hall is implementing. In addition to this, the town hall is also planning to create a municipal register of tourist accommodation for rent. This is seen as a step towards better regulation and control of tourist accommodation in the town.
