The news from Granada, where around 500 electronic locks on holiday apartments were destroyed, highlights once again the tensions between residents and tourism. I understand the concerns of the locals: rising rents, a shortage of housing, and the feeling that the city is being “sold off.” But vandalism is not the solution. Owners of small apartments, often local families or self-employed individuals, are directly affected, guests are locked out, and the city loses credibility as a tourist destination.
It is important to put the role of tourism into perspective: in 2025, Spain welcomed around 96.8 million international visitors, with the sector contributing roughly 12–13 % to GDP and supporting millions of jobs. Andalusia, which includes Granada, saw approximately 38 million visitors in the same year, using both hotels and holiday rentals, thereby sustaining numerous jobs in hospitality, retail, and cultural sectors. In Granada, sites such as the Alhambra attract millions of visitors annually—restaurants, hotels, small shops, and cultural venues all depend directly on this influx. Holiday apartments are part of this infrastructure, enabling longer stays and bolstering the local economy.
The real cause of rising rents, however, is not tourism, but a structural housing shortage. Spain builds far fewer homes each year than are needed to meet balanced demand—industry associations estimate that around 200,000–250,000 new homes are required annually, yet usually fewer than 100,000 are constructed. At the same time, urban populations are growing, households are getting smaller, and social housing is scarce—accounting for less than 3 % of the housing stock in Spain. Nationwide, holiday rentals make up only 3–8 % of the housing supply.
The solution, therefore, does not lie in sabotage, but in cooperative, structural measures: promoting new construction, ensuring socially responsible rentals, transparently registering holiday apartments, and setting clear rules for urban planning. This way, Granada can remain a liveable city—for both residents and visitors alike.
Vandalism harms everyone. Those who truly want a balance between quality of life and tourism must pursue dialogue-based, legal solutions. Tourism is not the enemy, but an opportunity—if we manage it wisely.
