When will the mindless tourist objectors finally realise that IF they believe there are too many, it isn't the tourists who are the problem, it is those who make millions by encouraging the huge numbers of them every year? Consequently, the increase in rent is not down to the tourists, but the greedy local Landlords who want to make more money!
I can understand why some people wouldn't want a ton of strangers walking around en masse through they neighborhoods, going back and forth through the main public sites and beaches for a couple of months out of the year, just to have ghost towns the rest of the year. I think limiting the number of AirBnB rentals to a certain percentage within each neighborhood may be a possible solution. Having said that, I love being in a neighborhood where I run into locals during the course of the day and maybe even strike up a conversation while doing whatever business, along with the feeling of coming "home" when I'm done to cook my own food if I'm homesick for simple home food,, or if I want to be lazy for a day by staying in without feeling like I have to go out (like I did today). Apparently, I'm not the only one who likes this model. I think that there is a happy medium to be found.
I agree with everything you've said Tobias! Limiting the number of holiday lets makes sense. There has been the same problem in Edinburgh with many flats formerly let by students now used as holiday rentals. This has put a squeeze on students and local shops. I have rented from Air BnB like you but would not like to think I was creating problems for the locals. Cheers! Lorna
Why can't Spain improve the civil servant and bureaucracy? It's a given that when somebody lands a role in one of the many pillars of public admin/bureaucracy here in Spain that they have to create as much work for themselves as possible in terms of not providing a good level of service - why have one form to fill in when you have a dozen, on different sites and different file formats which won't work in a certain browser on on a mac. The aim of admin/bureaucracy here is not to provide a good service it's to justify its own existence. Add to that the fact that civil servants are practically impossible to remove from their posts and voila - a perfect stinking pile of festering manure that's happy just the way it is!
Absolutely spot on. It seems that in a socialist government the end result is that half of the population work for the government, the other half are either unemployed or working for minimum pay.
@@12alocin correct - every time the government has some (of your) money to spend they create more roles in the civil service - it's a never ending spiral of doom and misery. If i thought about this too much I'd be pouring the vino tinto over my cornflakes for breakfast.
Jealousy is a dangerous illness . It comes from the general population of Spain who don’t like affluent go for it Spaniards to make money ! The mentality of the average Spaniard is backward thinking because like France they have been spoilt by the financial back up of the eu. And any one who tries to better themselves all of a sudden becomes a target
Regarding Spanish bureaucracy, the elephant in the room: the civil servants there obtained jobs for life after arduous examinations. So once in function, they feel "entitled" and even PRIDE THEMSELVES on working as little as possible!
Civil servants are tenured. Therefore they're not in a hurry. That's número uno. Second, Landlords here make considerably more renting to tourists for appalling amounts of money for a few weeks than they would for a month from a renter. I live in Madrid and we're also pissed off about it. The problem isn't the tourists, it's the greedy landlords.
I agree Stuart that bureaucracy is extremely tortuous in Spain. It drives me mad on my daughter’s behalf. She has been applying to do a two year BA in order to teach in a Primary School. It’s been a frustrating marathon, but nearly there 🤞
Keep at it Janet - the only way is to grin and bear it and have the occasional vermut whilst reminding yourself of the many +ves about this country and why you moved here!
I live in the UK, my daughter and her family in Seville, but I agree there are many good things about living in Spain, such a beautiful country with so many wild and varied landscapes and cultural differences
I think the issue with Spanish bureaucracy is due to the fact that the civil servants study so hard to get the job in the first place and then once they have succeeded its then feet up on the desk and wait for retirement
I have a Turkish guest at home. He came to work for a year and I am helping him with the bureaucracy because he doesn't speak Spanish. I already knew that the Spanish bureaucracy is terrible but it seems that it is even worse for foreigners. He has just rented a large, well-located apartment for €370 a month in Ciudad Real. There are free trains to Madrid until the end of the year, so it's the best option. His first choice was Madrid and second Porto (he will be working in all three cities) but money talks.
@@lindabiegenwald5924 And you are linda. The only English speaking countries I've been to are The UK, The USA and Canada in all of them I've been said I am good sport and, believe me, I'm not sure what it exactly means. Nobody told me I'm a gentleman before, I think.
I've always wanted to move to Spain since my latter teenage years. However as a adult well into my career and life, its quite a daunting thought with the fact bureaucracy/costumer service seems to be so poor. I dont have the patience to deal with that and London is bad enough but manageable to an extent
It is no worse in Spain than the UK, the food is better as is the weather, the atmosphere is better too, so l would at least go and rent for a while. It is a shame we lose our childhood dreams!
@@amandaroberts5111 thanks for your insight, you make a valid point! I'm able to make the leap of faith without too much of a risk anyway, worth a shot
Amanda, I live in the UK currently after living in Barcelona. Barcelona is my preferred city in this planet but….I have to say: bureaucrats in Spain are more common. In the UK I became a resident in very few weeks. All processes here are easy. Just got a mortgage and it was very easy to do. In Spain it took me 18 months to be a resident and a bank account took weeks. Registering with a GP was also a nightmare. I love Spain but it’s my toxic love 😅
@@amandaroberts5111 have you ever been in a bank in Spain? Waiting for over one hour to see a teller is no fun, and when you get to the front of the queue they go on a coffee break!
I'm 69 and always used to take a weeks holiday in Spain and a week in Devon (England). The cost of housing ( purchase and rental) in many coastal towns ( Dartmouth and Salcolme for example) was prohibitive for the local people.....and this was 40 years ago !!!! I suspect this is the case the world over with occasional flashpoints ! These days "Big Brother is a drone !!!!!
I lived in Madrid for 22 years from 1975-1997. I remember trips to Barcelona and asking, for example, directions in Spanish (I was fluent) and getting a response in catalan. Everyone in Barcelona speaks Spanish: I found this very rude and it happened more often than not.
The problem is bad tourism. We have traveled many places and until we speak we are frequently treated like locals. I see groups of tourists being demanding, rude and obnoxious. I can understand the dislike by those living in a tourist towns.
Every country has its ups and downs in certain ways. I do not have any intention to emigrate to Spain for example. And for mass tourism, our capital Amsterdam is facing mass tourism as well. I understand they try to regulate and check Air B&B housing more intensively. No entrance fee like Venice is considered over here.
Hi Stuart, I think all countries need tourism, helps balance the books, with the IVA in Spain it generates a good amount of money for the treasury, on the question of beurocacy when we applied for Residency in Spain, we had all the correct documents bank accounts etc, with proof of income, but it still took almost 1 year before we received our TIE cards, Brian, La Marina, Alicante.
My husband myself and our grandson spent 6 glorious weeks in Maine USA and I have witnessed a few foreign tourists nasty behavior. I can sympathize with the locals of any place in the world where your streets are jammed with rude people. But I personally don't think tourists are the main problem and excuse me but yes I will go down that road it are the expats or what ever they like to call themselves. It makes the rent go up, housing prices rise, groceries go up and to top it all off they want to turn their part of the world in their new country the way it was back home. If you have the need to do this then don't leave your home country or better yet fully embrace the new one.
I’ve not seen an expat running around Spain with American (or other) flags on their houses, cars, and clothes. However, I certainly see that here in the states. I agree with you, but realize that’s not what we observe in other “western” nations.
I think you'll find that in the Canaries, at least, the tourist percentage of GDP is a lot higher than 30/40%. If Spain decides on a different direction it won't be accomplished overnight.
Tourism is fantastic, but it can create problems when its managed incorrectly. Thats a separate issue to property ownership. Spain should limit land and property ownership to Spanish nationals. They operate these laws in other tourist locations around the world, and it works. You can visit. You can even stay. But you can never own.
@@smoothride7841 Exactly!👍 Around the world, 20+ years of TV property porn has led everyone into a trap. The middle classes are delighted with spiralling real estate prices, because it gives them the illusion that they are wealthy. When you adjust for inflation, their salaries are actually the lowest they have been in decades. They then put all their money into property, which has the counterintuitive effect of pushing their children and fellow citizens into poverty. In reality, their children inherit little to nothing, because in the modern world the divorce rate is so high, there are many interested parties in an inheritance, and living in poor health for much longer means that chronic illness destroys their wealth and savings. For the sake of a healthy society, people should only be able to own the property they live in. There are many other asset classes that can attract wealth. Any humane person would think it cruel to stockpile food, way above and beyond their needs, so they can create scarcity, drive up its value, then drip feed it to those in need at exorbitant prices? We do that with shelter, which is a basic need that underpins a civil society.
THIS upward pressure for increased rents, etc., &it SEEMS EVERYTHING else…is called “gentrification” here…& the economic “up-turn/down-turn” happens here, too… I HOPE there’s a solution…. 😶🤔👠👣
Yes. Snitching neighbors are a huge problem in Spain. I've never understood the motivation to run to corrupt local government officials to snitch on their fellow citizens and neighbors. Reminds me of Nazi Germany, Former USSR, and almost any Western nation during the "global pandemic". These people must really believe governments have their best interest at heart. Disappointing to say the least, and an ominous sign of where we are heading in Western societies.
All a throwback to the Franco regime, to encourage informants & cultivate a culture of mistrust amongst the populous. Of course it seems similar to these regimes, it was based upon them.
I think the tourism model must change. People trying to buy their first property in Seville are at a disadvantage because companies who have endless funds buy up the available properties and let them out on Airbnb. I admit I stay in an Airbnb when visiting my daughter in Seville, but maybe we all need to go back to staying in hotels.
Thanks for the video Stuart. Some tourist's can be disruptive and disrespectful to the country they visit and it's people. However the only advantage is they help generate revenue.
When I worked back in The Canary Islands back from 2010 to 2015 and saw turista out in graffiti in pretty much every town, but never experienced any grief and never knew any tourists who did, always seems to be a very small minority so if they are treated anything like small minorities in the UK they will start appearing every bloody TV advert you watch and replacing majorities in majority roles on TV and history programmes
The Air B&B issue is a problem even here in northern Scotland. It brings visitors into residential areas and thus precludes locals from getting reasonable flats to rent. Here in Inverness for instance on any one week there are only about 10 -15 one and 2 bed properties available for normal renting. There are hundreds of former properties that are now short term rental only (talking from as little as 1 night to the max of 2 weeks). Maybe this model needs banning and confine visitors to normal holiday accommodation - hotels, guest houses and established Bed & Breakfast locations.
Spanish bureaucracy is absolutely dreadful . I fully agree with you Stu . It certainly needs sorting out . The civil servants ( who are anything but civil ) enjoy being in control and making life as difficult as possible
Regarding bureaucracy here in my view and speaking as an autónomo for the last 26 years, the state has no interest in improving things for citizens as it is another mechanism for the state to maintain its control and dominance over Joe public, keep us in our place under their boots. It also represents the first line of defence for public sector employees from the lowest to the highest as a) the less work they have and more pay the better b) any public attempt to change a) will either go nowhere or actually turn the state machinery against anyone making a formal complaint for example I once got into an argument with a police officer who refused to put out his cigarette in a lift. Our verbal exchange contained into the street and he watched me get onto my motorbike and ride away. Two weeks later I received a fine relating to my car the same day of our argument, a Tuesday. My car was always in its car park Monday to Friday so this was impossible. I appealed against the fine but this only resulted in the system eliminating my right to a discount for early payment. No explanation or proof of the traffic offence was given. The fact was that I had dared to challenge a state employee who was breaking the law and was consequently put in my place.
Imagine Spain's economy without tourism. It will take a lot to offset the loss .and the government would have to streamline a lot to accommodate new alternative businesses. Not impossible but unlikely. Spain and its people are so amazing; the thought of not being a tourist there or that my hosts don't want me saddens me.
@@doloresaquines1529 and @Smooth Ride can you clarify what you mean by the right kind of tourists. I guess i always felt like a tourist visiting my country was kind of flattering thatvthey would want to visit. I respect a person's perspective of who they would like as a tourist in their country, but if I'm not welcome it's easy to change my itinerary. Any perspective here would be appreciated 🙏
Yes because intimatdating tourists and slashing tires and all will make people go away. You chase the tourist, that cities depend on them and give the locals jobs, sure chase them away. You are not bright people. They are young and angry and where do they get it from the parents. Get a job and make something for yourself, and if you don't like tourist, go live on some island that no one is allowed on.
More like bloody red tape…my kids’ APPROVED Spanish citizenship applications have been stuck in the SF, CA. USA Spanish consulate bottle neck for 14 months! All they need to do is swear in and here we sit. Ridic
Spanish here, it's not just the fine. If they find out you have an illegal pool you have to pay the fine AND get rid of the pool completely. I didn't know either, a friend told me not long ago.
If you have an pool or extensions & it’s an illegal build .. And not authorized by your local council .. When you go to sell your property & it’s not put on the deeds .. It could cause you many problems
Hi Stu Yes Spain is stuck in a rutt as you say to get things done takes forever. The same thing happened when the Paramount theme park was going to be built in Murcia a few years ago. It would of brought so many jobs to the areas. And boosted the economy. But because of red tape again they all pulled out.
The Canary Islands are an all year round tourist destination particularly during the winter with temperatures ranging from 20° to 28°centigrade! So we do better during the Winter... for the same temperatures we enjoy you need to go to Miami..just a titch longer on the plane!😂 Spanish democracy? now that's a whole other story 🙄
I've been to quite a few different places across Spain and loved them all , except one. Barcelona. I hated it. It was like being in an unrecognisable foreign land other than Spanish.
The costa del sol and just inland is having the same problems , young people can’t leave home rents are too high now and for some time. Inland from the Costa’s now have the same problems as local Spanish are going for renting to tourists .foreigners are buying up property to rent out for holidays flooding the market. ………..
2029 me and the wife are retiring in alicante from sweden. i am english but have a swedish passport. so should be no problems for us moving there. we have long paid off our house here and now saving hard for a villa for about 250k euros. cant retire here in sweden. i'de go crazy house bound from october to april
Franco developed Tourism back in the 50's-60's. Without it, Spain would not have an economy. The only reason the EU paid £millions to Spain was to develop and update the infrastructure to suit the visiting tourists from other EU countries. It became the playground/holiday destination of Europe attracting great numbers of mostly British and Germans. Are these far left activists coming up with a viable solution to replace tourism in the economy ?
Well, they protest against all this kind of toxic tourists that comes just to get drunk and party. "Local" tourists have cheap alcohol on their city as well so they don't usually go as crazy. Also, the renting situation is unbearable in big cities and people think it's because Airb&b. Tourists are able to pay the very high prices they ask for, and locals that work there can't find a place to live. It's a difficult matter, because we like to party and we go crazy too and I know big cities have high renting prices all around the world, so are tourists really the ones to blame?
@@trapi7268 No it’s usually local and central government to blame. They need to provide housing to local people who were raised there and can stay where they were born and/or raised. Sounds like they need to put control measures in. When the tourists aren’t there it can create lifeless places too.
@@TheDuckAndRogerTheHorse Barcelona's mayor is trying to do this, in order to rent your place for vacation period you have to have a license, and they are not easy to get. Also now it is illegal to sublet rooms without a contract, however people still do it... Barcelona is too big to control everything and people here tend to view laws in a relaxed manner. FYI, I'm born and raised in Barcelona, currently living 35km away from the city I work in because I can't find a decent rent.
@@trapi7268 Bcn is NOT too big to control. Any intelligent hard working mayor who DEDICATES his/her job to the ppl would organise the city accordingly, not only when the election just around the corner. Btw the ilegal tourist apartments can be fined right up to €9.000
You dont need tourists to mess up Barcelona. The local druggeis and homeless do a good enough job with all their piss and shit on the streets. It’s disgusting. The area does have the best market and good partying, but it scores a negative 10 as far as cleanliness. A wild fire would improve that area.
Government of Spain encouraged developers to build from the 50s. The government are to blame for the ruined towns city's and islands. Its to late to ask if tourism is to blame. Its certainly not tourist we bring the money.
Hi Stuart, gr8 video, I can understand the anti tourist thing though I disagree with their action. I work in the tourist sector on the CDS and when you see the behaviour of the minority at the airport and in popular night club areas you have to ask yourself is it any wonder that the locals get up tight. Some of these tourists think they can just carry on and totally disrespect the local population. I have in the past found the beauracracy thing difficult but put it down to living in a foreign country where they do things differently, it makes it more bearable🤣🤣. Keep up the good work mate, Regards, Don
The solution to the AirBnB problem is well known. You license them and tax them. This benefits the locality. Unfortunately, local authorities are reluctant to do that and, in particular, enforce that.
I'd say they just need to zone tourism. I've been to Barcelona a few times and its a wonderful city. It does bring in money to the city! Saying that I have some sympathies with the less extreme side of the protest group. I'd say put in limits and caps.
London has such a mix of nationalities and loads of tourism..that's how it is..it brings in money..cities all over world are the same. We live in a tourism area in the UK devon and rural..same problem with air bnbs and no local homes. Agree tourism is based on sun and sand..question cheap alcohol is a pull though..people like to travel to different countries to have that experience. That is mean about horrid neighbours..thought spain was live and let live and still think that..great nation.
I went to Barcelona way back in 2008 and couldn't stand the throngs of tourists; yes, as a tourist, I hated tourists. But I love Spain. Currently I am traveling through Castilla y Leon, in Burgos now (a small city with one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals in Europe). This region is much more off the beaten path as far as tourism goes, I see far more Spanish tourists than foreign holiday makers, which I enjoy. If you are thinking of seeing what Spain has to offer, come here to Castilla y Leon, you'll have a much more relaxed journey.
Mill gracias por el video Stuart trying to get things done in Spain 🇪🇸 the first thing you need to do is to buy a high quality crash helmet ⛑🪖 because your head gets very sore banging it against the wall. Tenga una buena fin de semana
I wonder if Spain should do more to promote and export products unique to Spain? Products involving olives, oranges, lemons, wine, arts and craft, music, culture, for example. Send more of that Spanish sunshine out to the rest of the world to enjoy at home. The Spanish government could perhaps give out grants or some kind of tax breaks or perks to those who would be interested in exporting goods uniquely Spanish. More Spanish wine please! 🍷🍊🍋🫒💃🏻
The Spanish government needs to invest in their own citizens, put a stop to so many foreign investers gobbling up all the cheap property, if they don't have programs to help low income spanish citizens to buy their first time home make a program that does. Put the youth to work cleaning up the graffiti which is a problem every where, the city i live in has been doing that and there is an improvement
Those items are mostly low margin. You'd have to export a lot of olives, oranges, lemons, wine, arts and crafts to have any much impact on the economy and giving grants to exporters would probably break EU internal market and state aid rules.
Travel to Spain's interior towns, so much history, great food and a lot less people...also the sun shines there too. Who needs sand.
When will the mindless tourist objectors finally realise that IF they believe there are too many, it isn't the tourists who are the problem, it is those who make millions by encouraging the huge numbers of them every year?
Consequently, the increase in rent is not down to the tourists, but the greedy local Landlords who want to make more money!
I can understand why some people wouldn't want a ton of strangers walking around en masse through they neighborhoods, going back and forth through the main public sites and beaches for a couple of months out of the year, just to have ghost towns the rest of the year. I think limiting the number of AirBnB rentals to a certain percentage within each neighborhood may be a possible solution. Having said that, I love being in a neighborhood where I run into locals during the course of the day and maybe even strike up a conversation while doing whatever business, along with the feeling of coming "home" when I'm done to cook my own food if I'm homesick for simple home food,, or if I want to be lazy for a day by staying in without feeling like I have to go out (like I did today). Apparently, I'm not the only one who likes this model. I think that there is a happy medium to be found.
I agree with everything you've said Tobias! Limiting the number of holiday lets makes sense. There has been the same problem in Edinburgh with many flats formerly let by students now used as holiday rentals. This has put a squeeze on students and local shops. I have rented from Air BnB like you but would not like to think I was creating problems for the locals. Cheers! Lorna
Stayed at home this year [due to covid / airport issues] holidayed in Cornwall, already booked next year....Cornwall again for us.
Why can't Spain improve the civil servant and bureaucracy? It's a given that when somebody lands a role in one of the many pillars of public admin/bureaucracy here in Spain that they have to create as much work for themselves as possible in terms of not providing a good level of service - why have one form to fill in when you have a dozen, on different sites and different file formats which won't work in a certain browser on on a mac. The aim of admin/bureaucracy here is not to provide a good service it's to justify its own existence. Add to that the fact that civil servants are practically impossible to remove from their posts and voila - a perfect stinking pile of festering manure that's happy just the way it is!
Absolutely spot on. It seems that in a socialist government the end result is that half of the population work for the government, the other half are either unemployed or working for minimum pay.
Can't agree more
@@12alocin correct - every time the government has some (of your) money to spend they create more roles in the civil service - it's a never ending spiral of doom and misery. If i thought about this too much I'd be pouring the vino tinto over my cornflakes for breakfast.
@@madgringo9263 tío, dada la hora que es, si crees que la.burocracia española o la administración española son eficientes es que estas soñando todavia
@@madgringo9263 I only ever communicate in Spanish but thanks for the tip!
Jealousy is a dangerous illness . It comes from the general population of Spain who don’t like affluent go for it Spaniards to make money ! The mentality of the average Spaniard is backward thinking because like France they have been spoilt by the financial back up of the eu. And any one who tries to better themselves all of a sudden becomes a target
Regarding Spanish bureaucracy, the elephant in the room: the civil servants there obtained jobs for life after arduous examinations. So once in function, they feel "entitled" and even PRIDE THEMSELVES on working as little as possible!
Civil servants are tenured. Therefore they're not in a hurry. That's número uno. Second, Landlords here make considerably more renting to tourists for appalling amounts of money for a few weeks than they would for a month from a renter. I live in Madrid and we're also pissed off about it. The problem isn't the tourists, it's the greedy landlords.
I agree Stuart that bureaucracy is extremely tortuous in Spain. It drives me mad on my daughter’s behalf. She has been applying to do a two year BA in order to teach in a Primary School. It’s been a frustrating marathon, but nearly there 🤞
Keep at it Janet - the only way is to grin and bear it and have the occasional vermut whilst reminding yourself of the many +ves about this country and why you moved here!
I live in the UK, my daughter and her family in Seville, but I agree there are many good things about living in Spain, such a beautiful country with so many wild and varied landscapes and cultural differences
in barcelona if tourists were banned who would they mug and rob?
No more mass tourism please 🙏 Venice is already destroyed 😪
I think the issue with Spanish bureaucracy is due to the fact that the civil servants study so hard to get the job in the first place and then once they have succeeded its then feet up on the desk and wait for retirement
Thanks
I have a Turkish guest at home. He came to work for a year and I am helping him with the bureaucracy because he doesn't speak Spanish. I already knew that the Spanish bureaucracy is terrible but it seems that it is even worse for foreigners. He has just rented a large, well-located apartment for €370 a month in Ciudad Real. There are free trains to Madrid until the end of the year, so it's the best option. His first choice was Madrid and second Porto (he will be working in all three cities) but money talks.
you are a gentleman!!
@@lindabiegenwald5924 And you are linda.
The only English speaking countries I've been to are The UK, The USA and Canada in all of them I've been said I am good sport and, believe me, I'm not sure what it exactly means. Nobody told me I'm a gentleman before, I think.
@@joseantoniodavila2752 well the fact that you took into your home even though he is working and are helping him makes you a gentleman
@@lindabiegenwald5924 Perhaps the old way of behave. I wonder what good sport means.
@@lolitarouge Yes. at least 16 journeys from september first to the end of the year and one gets it for free. Stu talked about that also.
Spanish civil servants are probably like ours in England sitting at home, ostensibly WFH, doing Sweet Fanny Adams.
She's buried less than a quarter of a mile from me
@@DropdudeJohn horrendous story about what happened to her. 1850-60’s I think
@@robddaniel
Yep and it was the navy that made her famous
If only.
The biggest problem is the behaviour of tourists. Xx
I've always wanted to move to Spain since my latter teenage years. However as a adult well into my career and life, its quite a daunting thought with the fact bureaucracy/costumer service seems to be so poor. I dont have the patience to deal with that and London is bad enough but manageable to an extent
It is no worse in Spain than the UK, the food is better as is the weather, the atmosphere is better too, so l would at least go and rent for a while. It is a shame we lose our childhood dreams!
@@amandaroberts5111 thanks for your insight, you make a valid point! I'm able to make the leap of faith without too much of a risk anyway, worth a shot
Amanda, I live in the UK currently after living in Barcelona. Barcelona is my preferred city in this planet but….I have to say: bureaucrats in Spain are more common. In the UK I became a resident in very few weeks. All processes here are easy. Just got a mortgage and it was very easy to do. In Spain it took me 18 months to be a resident and a bank account took weeks. Registering with a GP was also a nightmare.
I love Spain but it’s my toxic love 😅
@@amandaroberts5111 have you ever been in a bank in Spain? Waiting for over one hour to see a teller is no fun, and when you get to the front of the queue they go on a coffee break!
JB... Just use the ATM you can even pay your bills unlike in the UK.... Tony cuenca
It's the full time tourists you have to keep an eye on.
What?
@@londresparis_1 It’s the full time tourists you have to keep an eye on😅
I'm 69 and always used to take a weeks holiday in Spain and a week in Devon (England).
The cost of housing ( purchase and rental) in many coastal towns ( Dartmouth and Salcolme for example) was prohibitive for the local people.....and this was 40 years ago !!!!
I suspect this is the case the world over with occasional flashpoints !
These days "Big Brother is a drone !!!!!
Roger Davies - It's "Salcombe", no?!! I agree with all your points
@@mtm4a Yep. My mistake
I lived in Madrid for 22 years from 1975-1997. I remember trips to Barcelona and asking, for example, directions in Spanish (I was fluent) and getting a response in catalan. Everyone in Barcelona speaks Spanish: I found this very rude and it happened more often than not.
The problem is bad tourism. We have traveled many places and until we speak we are frequently treated like locals. I see groups of tourists being demanding, rude and obnoxious. I can understand the dislike by those living in a tourist towns.
The service in banks in Spain is also pretty bad.
Every country has its ups and downs in certain ways. I do not have any intention to emigrate to Spain for example. And for mass tourism, our capital Amsterdam is facing mass tourism as well. I understand they try to regulate and check Air B&B housing more intensively. No entrance fee like Venice is considered over here.
Hmm talking about Venice, many of the locals have gone to live in the mountain
Thank you, Stuart, for keeping us informed.
Hi Stuart,
I think all countries need tourism, helps balance the books, with the IVA in Spain it generates a good amount of money for the treasury, on the question of beurocacy when we applied for Residency in Spain, we had all the correct documents bank accounts etc, with proof of income, but it still took almost 1 year before we received our TIE cards, Brian, La Marina, Alicante.
My husband myself and our grandson spent 6 glorious weeks in Maine USA and I have witnessed a few foreign tourists nasty behavior. I can sympathize with the locals of any place in the world where your streets are jammed with rude people. But I personally don't think tourists are the main problem and excuse me but yes I will go down that road it are the expats or what ever they like to call themselves. It makes the rent go up, housing prices rise, groceries go up and to top it all off they want to turn their part of the world in their new country the way it was back home. If you have the need to do this then don't leave your home country or better yet fully embrace the new one.
I’ve not seen an expat running around Spain with American (or other) flags on their houses, cars, and clothes. However, I certainly see that here in the states. I agree with you, but realize that’s not what we observe in other “western” nations.
@@richardanderson2497 it is not about flags
Why do you say "myself" instead of "me"
@@alandenton1024 why would you criticize her use of the word myself your one petty man
@@margaretdombrady419 yeah, sorry, I was in a bad mood, to many tourists
I think you'll find that in the Canaries, at least, the tourist percentage of GDP is a lot higher than 30/40%.
If Spain decides on a different direction it won't be accomplished overnight.
40%. 30% in mainland Spain.
Tourism is fantastic, but it can create problems when its managed incorrectly. Thats a separate issue to property ownership. Spain should limit land and property ownership to Spanish nationals. They operate these laws in other tourist locations around the world, and it works. You can visit. You can even stay. But you can never own.
Or you can rent the land for only 25 years.
@@smoothride7841 Exactly!👍 Around the world, 20+ years of TV property porn has led everyone into a trap. The middle classes are delighted with spiralling real estate prices, because it gives them the illusion that they are wealthy. When you adjust for inflation, their salaries are actually the lowest they have been in decades. They then put all their money into property, which has the counterintuitive effect of pushing their children and fellow citizens into poverty. In reality, their children inherit little to nothing, because in the modern world the divorce rate is so high, there are many interested parties in an inheritance, and living in poor health for much longer means that chronic illness destroys their wealth and savings. For the sake of a healthy society, people should only be able to own the property they live in. There are many other asset classes that can attract wealth. Any humane person would think it cruel to stockpile food, way above and beyond their needs, so they can create scarcity, drive up its value, then drip feed it to those in need at exorbitant prices? We do that with shelter, which is a basic need that underpins a civil society.
THIS upward pressure for increased rents, etc., &it SEEMS EVERYTHING else…is called “gentrification” here…& the economic “up-turn/down-turn” happens here, too… I HOPE there’s a solution…. 😶🤔👠👣
Yes. Snitching neighbors are a huge problem in Spain. I've never understood the motivation to run to corrupt local government officials to snitch on their fellow citizens and neighbors. Reminds me of Nazi Germany, Former USSR, and almost any Western nation during the "global pandemic". These people must really believe governments have their best interest at heart. Disappointing to say the least, and an ominous sign of where we are heading in Western societies.
Spain is full of snitches
Well put.
It's cultural. A denuncia for people you don't like who have broken the law
@@MarI-Posa I agree. Perhaps envy plays more of a role than “culture” though.
All a throwback to the Franco regime, to encourage informants & cultivate a culture of mistrust amongst the populous. Of course it seems similar to these regimes, it was based upon them.
I understand the damage that Air BnB has caused. I would also be pissed off if it happened in my area.
I think the tourism model must change. People trying to buy their first property in Seville are at a disadvantage because companies who have endless funds buy up the available properties and let them out on Airbnb. I admit I stay in an Airbnb when visiting my daughter in Seville, but maybe we all need to go back to staying in hotels.
Are ur dau studying in Seville?
Is this rule only for permanent structures do desmountable pools like metal frame with liners fall under this?
It’s only permanent structures .. Anything what can be dismantled is fine.. Same goes for out houses attached to your property..
I’m afraid the 400 euros will never come to light . There is no money for this .
Yes another one of Pedro Sanchez bright ideas to win votes from the young generation and even that has not been properly thought out🤔
Another great video Stuart, thank you for your updates, look forward to every new video.
People should be free to travel where they want
Thanks for the video Stuart. Some tourist's can be disruptive and disrespectful to the country they visit and it's people. However the only advantage is they help generate revenue.
When I worked back in The Canary Islands back from 2010 to 2015 and saw turista out in graffiti in pretty much every town, but never experienced any grief and never knew any tourists who did, always seems to be a very small minority so if they are treated anything like small minorities in the UK they will start appearing every bloody TV advert you watch and replacing majorities in majority roles on TV and history programmes
The Air B&B issue is a problem even here in northern Scotland. It brings visitors into residential areas and thus precludes locals from getting reasonable flats to rent. Here in Inverness for instance on any one week there are only about 10 -15 one and 2 bed properties available for normal renting. There are hundreds of former properties that are now short term rental only (talking from as little as 1 night to the max of 2 weeks). Maybe this model needs banning and confine visitors to normal holiday accommodation - hotels, guest houses and established Bed & Breakfast locations.
In the Canaries they were washing their clothes in the river in the 50s, if they want to return to that, be my guest.
Which river ?
@@12alocin The river next to the train rail track =)
@@12alocin LOL 😄
@@joseantoniodavila2752 LOL 😄
Spanish bureaucracy is absolutely dreadful . I fully agree with you Stu . It certainly needs sorting out . The civil servants ( who are anything but civil ) enjoy being in control and making life as difficult as possible
Regarding bureaucracy here in my view and speaking as an autónomo for the last 26 years, the state has no interest in improving things for citizens as it is another mechanism for the state to maintain its control and dominance over Joe public, keep us in our place under their boots. It also represents the first line of defence for public sector employees from the lowest to the highest as a) the less work they have and more pay the better b) any public attempt to change a) will either go nowhere or actually turn the state machinery against anyone making a formal complaint for example
I once got into an argument with a police officer who refused to put out his cigarette in a lift. Our verbal exchange contained into the street and he watched me get onto my motorbike and ride away. Two weeks later I received a fine relating to my car the same day of our argument, a Tuesday. My car was always in its car park Monday to Friday so this was impossible. I appealed against the fine but this only resulted in the system eliminating my right to a discount for early payment. No explanation or proof of the traffic offence was given. The fact was that I had dared to challenge a state employee who was breaking the law and was consequently put in my place.
Thanks for the update Stu.
The Daily Rant could be a podcast feature???? LoL 😆
Imagine Spain's economy without tourism. It will take a lot to offset the loss .and the government would have to streamline a lot to accommodate new alternative businesses. Not impossible but unlikely. Spain and its people are so amazing; the thought of not being a tourist there or that my hosts don't want me saddens me.
Spain needs tourists but only certain type of tourism.
@@doloresaquines1529 and @Smooth Ride can you clarify what you mean by the right kind of tourists. I guess i always felt like a tourist visiting my country was kind of flattering thatvthey would want to visit. I respect a person's perspective of who they would like as a tourist in their country, but if I'm not welcome it's easy to change my itinerary. Any perspective here would be appreciated 🙏
Yes because intimatdating tourists and slashing tires and all will make people go away. You chase the tourist, that cities depend on them and give the locals jobs, sure chase them away. You are not bright people. They are young and angry and where do they get it from the parents. Get a job and make something for yourself, and if you don't like tourist, go live on some island that no one is allowed on.
More like bloody red tape…my kids’ APPROVED Spanish citizenship applications have been stuck in the SF, CA. USA Spanish consulate bottle neck for 14 months! All they need to do is swear in and here we sit. Ridic
Stuart about the pools, the fines don't see much though, is it a one off fine or is it annual?
Spanish here, it's not just the fine. If they find out you have an illegal pool you have to pay the fine AND get rid of the pool completely. I didn't know either, a friend told me not long ago.
If you have an pool or extensions & it’s an illegal build .. And not authorized by your local council .. When you go to sell your property & it’s not put on the deeds .. It could cause you many problems
Hi Stu
Yes Spain is stuck in a rutt as you say to get things done takes forever. The same thing happened when the Paramount theme park was going to be built in Murcia a few years ago. It would of brought so many jobs to the areas. And boosted the economy. But because of red tape again they all pulled out.
The Canary Islands are an all year round tourist destination particularly during the winter with temperatures ranging from 20° to 28°centigrade! So we do better during the Winter... for the same temperatures we enjoy you need to go to Miami..just a titch longer on the plane!😂
Spanish democracy? now that's a whole other story 🙄
I've been to quite a few different places across Spain and loved them all , except one. Barcelona. I hated it. It was like being in an unrecognisable foreign land other than Spanish.
Thanks stu, allways with you
The costa del sol and just inland is having the same problems , young people can’t leave home rents are too high now and for some time. Inland from the Costa’s now have the same problems as local Spanish are going for renting to tourists .foreigners are buying up property to rent out for holidays flooding the market. ………..
2029 me and the wife are retiring in alicante from sweden. i am english but have a swedish passport. so should be no problems for us moving there.
we have long paid off our house here and now saving hard for a villa for about 250k euros. cant retire here in sweden. i'de go crazy house bound from october to april
Franco developed Tourism back in the 50's-60's. Without it, Spain would not have an economy. The only reason the EU paid £millions to Spain was to develop and update the infrastructure to suit the visiting tourists from other EU countries. It became the playground/holiday destination of Europe attracting great numbers of mostly British and Germans. Are these far left activists coming up with a viable solution to replace tourism in the economy ?
Are they protesting just foreign tourists or all tourists?
Well, they protest against all this kind of toxic tourists that comes just to get drunk and party. "Local" tourists have cheap alcohol on their city as well so they don't usually go as crazy. Also, the renting situation is unbearable in big cities and people think it's because Airb&b.
Tourists are able to pay the very high prices they ask for, and locals that work there can't find a place to live.
It's a difficult matter, because we like to party and we go crazy too and I know big cities have high renting prices all around the world, so are tourists really the ones to blame?
@@trapi7268 No it’s usually local and central government to blame. They need to provide housing to local people who were raised there and can stay where they were born and/or raised. Sounds like they need to put control measures in. When the tourists aren’t there it can create lifeless places too.
@@TheDuckAndRogerTheHorse Barcelona's mayor is trying to do this, in order to rent your place for vacation period you have to have a license, and they are not easy to get. Also now it is illegal to sublet rooms without a contract, however people still do it... Barcelona is too big to control everything and people here tend to view laws in a relaxed manner.
FYI, I'm born and raised in Barcelona, currently living 35km away from the city I work in because I can't find a decent rent.
Only one type of them😄....
@@trapi7268 Bcn is NOT too big to control. Any intelligent hard working mayor who DEDICATES his/her job to the ppl would organise the city accordingly, not only when the election just around the corner.
Btw the ilegal tourist apartments can be fined right up to €9.000
You dont need tourists to mess up Barcelona. The local druggeis and homeless do a good enough job with all their piss and shit on the streets. It’s disgusting. The area does have the best market and good partying, but it scores a negative 10 as far as cleanliness. A wild fire would improve that area.
there are a lot of places in spain that are places tourist should not go to ust like every other country.
Well said, well explained,
Government of Spain encouraged developers to build from the 50s. The government are to blame for the ruined towns city's and islands. Its to late to ask if tourism is to blame. Its certainly not tourist we bring the money.
Thanks about the swimming pool stuff
Hi Stuart, gr8 video, I can understand the anti tourist thing though I disagree with their action. I work in the tourist sector on the CDS and when you see the behaviour of the minority at the airport and in popular night club areas you have to ask yourself is it any wonder that the locals get up tight. Some of these tourists think they can just carry on and totally disrespect the local population.
I have in the past found the beauracracy thing difficult but put it down to living in a foreign country where they do things differently, it makes it more bearable🤣🤣.
Keep up the good work mate,
Regards,
Don
The solution to the AirBnB problem is well known. You license them and tax them. This benefits the locality. Unfortunately, local authorities are reluctant to do that and, in particular, enforce that.
It’s a great shame that they cannot understand that visitors just love their Cities, but it’s a part of modern life!!!
They never ever asked the local people that’s the problem, besides the mass tourism is horrible for the them.
In Pool we trust, believe and put our faith in. Holy Pool. Blessed Pool. :)
That's it I'm booking Barcelona!
I'd say they just need to zone tourism. I've been to Barcelona a few times and its a wonderful city. It does bring in money to the city! Saying that I have some sympathies with the less extreme side of the protest group. I'd say put in limits and caps.
London has such a mix of nationalities and loads of tourism..that's how it is..it brings in money..cities all over world are the same. We live in a tourism area in the UK devon and rural..same problem with air bnbs and no local homes.
Agree tourism is based on sun and sand..question cheap alcohol is a pull though..people like to travel to different countries to have that experience.
That is mean about horrid neighbours..thought spain was live and let live and still think that..great nation.
I went to Barcelona way back in 2008 and couldn't stand the throngs of tourists; yes, as a tourist, I hated tourists. But I love Spain. Currently I am traveling through Castilla y Leon, in Burgos now (a small city with one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals in Europe). This region is much more off the beaten path as far as tourism goes, I see far more Spanish tourists than foreign holiday makers, which I enjoy. If you are thinking of seeing what Spain has to offer, come here to Castilla y Leon, you'll have a much more relaxed journey.
Yes, everyone's a tourist.....unless they never go on holiday !
Yes, Burgos Cathedral.....wow !!!
Ivey been coming here for over 40 years.
It’s all about he money
cloudy today
Time to start sacking on a vast scale. Cheers Stuart.
Magaluf
Hi Stuart, I wonder what topic you will get your followers to moan about tomorrow?
Fucking hot mate ...ain't it
Barcelona, welcome to Spain . . .lol
Where is your dog?
i hated living in bcn . el cono guidi they would call me
Hahahaha, el coño guiri?
@@manuelfg2902 brainwashed by ideology
Mill gracias por el video Stuart trying to get things done in Spain 🇪🇸 the first thing you need to do is to buy a high quality crash helmet ⛑🪖 because your head gets very sore banging it against the wall. Tenga una buena fin de semana
I wonder if Spain should do more to promote and export products unique to Spain? Products involving olives, oranges, lemons, wine, arts and craft, music, culture, for example. Send more of that Spanish sunshine out to the rest of the world to enjoy at home. The Spanish government could perhaps give out grants or some kind of tax breaks or perks to those who would be interested in exporting goods uniquely Spanish. More Spanish wine please! 🍷🍊🍋🫒💃🏻
The Spanish government needs to invest in their own citizens, put a stop to so many foreign investers gobbling up all the cheap property, if they don't have programs to help low income spanish citizens to buy their first time home make a program that does. Put the youth to work cleaning up the graffiti which is a problem every where, the city i live in has been doing that and there is an improvement
Those items are mostly low margin. You'd have to export a lot of olives, oranges, lemons, wine, arts and crafts to have any much impact on the economy and giving grants to exporters would probably break EU internal market and state aid rules.
Over tourism is rife in the Balearics where the islands are full to bursting. Beautiful islands, people and culture exploited and spoilt Stu 🦎