All posts tagged: spain holidays

Brits caught in holiday nightmare after renting villa | World | News

Brits caught in holiday nightmare after renting villa | World | News

A dream vacation turned into a holiday nightmare for a group of British tourists who allegedly rented a mansion from a man who didn’t own it. The holidaymakers had booked a stunning villa in Marbella, a resort destination in southern Spain. The lavish residence in the sought-after Costa del Sol area included a swimming pool and seven suites. The villa has reportedly been booked by holidaymakers up to February next year, with reservation charges of around £859 (€1,000) per guest. However, the owner of the property has claimed he was not aware it was being rented out and only realised he was being taken advantage of when he came across an online advert featuring his home. He alleged he believed his Marbella property was empty after leaving it with the maintenance man.  But the maintenance man allegedly sublet the property long-term, unknowingly to its owner, and even drew up a contract and papers for the incumbent tenant, it has been claimed.  In a report by the Antena 3 channel, a lawyer named only as Odon and …

Pretty little Spanish town getting busier than Barcelona and Benidorm | World | News

Pretty little Spanish town getting busier than Barcelona and Benidorm | World | News

A pretty little town in southern Spain has claimed to have succeeded in a major feat – overtaking some of Europe’s most beloved holiday destinations in its latest hotel occupancy figures. The town hall of Benalmádena, in the southern region of Andalusia, claimed to have overtaken tourism “giants” such as Benidorm and Barcelona. The councillor of the Popular Party of Benalmádena, Presi Aguilera, hailed some of the tourist numbers recorded by the municipality in 2023 as “spectacular” – and put the spotlight particularly on figures from December. During the last month of 2023, the town recorded 139,145 hotel overnight stays alone, bringing the total for the year to 3,306,674. The overall figure marks a 7.3 percent increase in hotel tourists when compared to 2022 and a 11.3 percent increase in hotel overnight stays.  Ms Aguilera also noted the data regarding tourist numbers and average spending per visitor registered last year were something the town should be proud of.  Part of this extraordinary success was attributed to the tourist office in Benalmádena, which is extending its …

Spain holiday island horror as biker gang runs riot ‘like the Bronx’ | World | News

Spain holiday island horror as biker gang runs riot ‘like the Bronx’ | World | News

An episode of violence linked to a biker gang roaming in the beautiful area in southern Majorca has left locals and tourists shaken and terrified. In mid-March, two members of the Hells Angels gang were arrested after a businessman in the s’Arenal area of Palma was left with serious injuries after allegedly being attacked on the premises of the restaurant he runs and asked to pay £8,554 (€10,000). The suspects, a 38-year-old Afghan and a 42-year-old Spaniard, were accused of extortion and assault and battery. Both were later released by court order. The man reportedly told the police he had been reproached by the leader of the Hells Angels in Majorca for having a tattoo related to the biker group and for having spoken ill of the group. The suspects, on the other hand, claimed to have decided to carry out the attack after the victim had threatened people in the name of their club.  They described themselves as a new generation of Hells Angels who have stayed away from criminal activities and don’t want …

British tourists warned as grim stomach bugs sweep Spain | World | News

British tourists warned as grim stomach bugs sweep Spain | World | News

Stomach bugs are sweeping through a Spanish seaside province adored by British tourists, a doctor has warned. The city of Malaga and the surrounding province, visited by millions of UK nationals every year, have seen a rise in the number of people being affected by these viruses over the past few weeks. The increase in cases is normal at this time of the year as the heat arrives, according to paediatrician Pedro J. Navarro. However, the pace at which these bugs are passed on can be slowed by taking a few simple precautions, the president of the College of Physicians of Malaga added. Thoroughly washing hands multiple times a day, and especially after using the bathroom, helps lower the chances of transmission. Similarly, cleaning spaces shared by multiple people at home, work and in other environments where people coexist is necessary to help stave off these stomach bugs. The expert told La Opinion de Malaga: “The problem with viruses is that they are very contagious and when someone in the family has an intestinal virus, …

Canary Islands warning to British holiday spots as government threatens to bring in laws | World | News

Canary Islands warning to British holiday spots as government threatens to bring in laws | World | News

Regions in the Canary Islands could be subject to new legislation to combat a growing rental crisis in some of its most tourist-populated destinations. A total of 13 municipalities in the Spanish autonomous region, all of which are primarily geared towards tourists, have been denoted as “stressed areas” for their skyrocketing rent and lack of available housing. The names of these ‘at risk’ regions appear not to have been released. Regions are classified as such if they meet one of two conditions. Firstly, if the average cost of mortgage or renting – as well as basic expenses and utilities – exceeds 30 percent of the average income or average household income, a condition which the regions all meet. Secondly, the classification applies if the cost of buying or renting a house has seen cumulative growth of at least three percent above the increase in the Canary Island’s Consumer Price Index over five years. The average rental price in the Canary Islands at the end of 2023 was 15.1 percent higher compared to December the previous …

Spanish holiday hotspot overwhelmed by tourist rentals as furious locals fight back | World | News

Spanish holiday hotspot overwhelmed by tourist rentals as furious locals fight back | World | News

Spanish locals have issued a rallying cry as “historic” shops and buildings are closing up to make space for more holiday rentals. Residents of Costa del Sol, particularly Malaga, have vented their frustration after nearly 40 shops, bars or other commercial sites were granted permission to be turned into holiday rentals in the span of a year. It comes amid a housing crisis for young Spaniards, with many millions unable to afford to live in larger cities – let alone purchase property there. A picture of a once popular noodles bar turned tourist rental went viral after Malagueño Fran Campos shared it with the caption: “Malaga’s new reality.” He went on to share more pictures detailing how the city had changed over time. Mr Campos argued that “iconic” buildings were being wiped from existence, to be replaced with more spaces for tourists. He said under one picture: “These were the headquarters of the Neighborhood Association, then an embroidery workshop and now some tourist apartments.” A legendary dance clothing store, named Lola Denis, also faced the chopping block after 36 years …

Brit tourists in Spain warned new laws coming into force in 2024 in holiday hotspot | World | News

Brit tourists in Spain warned new laws coming into force in 2024 in holiday hotspot | World | News

A major holiday destination beloved by British tourists has introduced new laws set to further regulate a popular means of transport. The Andalusia region, an autonomous community in southern Spain, brought in on January 1 new measures targeting the use of e-scooters. This electric two-wheel means of transport has grown particularly popular in touristy areas, partly due to how easy it is to use and also because, in many nations, it doesn’t require a licence to be driven and go around seaside towns and cities. Since Monday (January 1), however, locals and British tourists thinking of picking an e-scooter up in Andalusia will need to be up-to-date with the new regulations to unpleasant surprises. The new measures include a ban on bringing e-scooters on public transport including buses, boats and metro trains. This move comes in the wake of numerous reports of fires erupting on public transport as a result of e-scooters. Andalusia is not the first Spanish area to implement this measure, as reported by the Olive Press. Major Spanish cities including Madrid and …