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Residents in one of Spain's most popular tourist hotspots who have recently taken to the streets to oppose the proliferation of short-term tourist lets (STRs) have cause to celebrate, thanks to newly revealed data. The number of STRs in Majorca and Ibiza has almost halved in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to Spain's leading non-profit tourism association, Exceltur.

As Spain's recent crackdown on holiday homes and overtourism starts to deliver results, the supply of STRs within the popular tourist islands is now 80% lower than in 2017, Exceltur has revealed. Nationwide, listings fell by 4% in the second half of the year compared to 2024, marking the first decline for Spain. However, trends varied across the 25 largest cities. This comes after Spain's aggressive regulatory measures, imposed by the Spanish Government last year, to combat mass tourism.

In 2025, Spain launched a national crackdown on STRs. This included every listing now requiring a verified license number that is cross-referenced automatically by platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Authorities have also significantly increased fines for owners operating without a license, with penalties now reaching up to €80,000 (£69,300).

On a more local level, Ibiza has ramped up inspections to find unauthorised listings, according to the local Government's website, while Barcelona plans to ban all holiday homes by the end of the decade.

The crackdown is a direct response to the housing emergency that is particularly prevalent in the Balearic Islands, where local residents have been priced out of the market. By reducing the number of tourist rentals, the Government aims to return thousands of apartments to the long-term residential market.

According to Exceltur's data, Ibiza and Majorca experienced the steepest decline in STRs, while mainland coastal hubs, such as Málaga and Almería, continue to increase their supply of tourist accommodation.

Holiday homes have been outpacing hotel growth for several years, with nearly one-third of tourists still opting for these properties, which remain more affordable than hotels. Ibiza delivered Spain's highest hotel revenue per room last year at €170 (£147) - up 6% from 2024, Exceltur said, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

This new data comes just days after it was revealed that the Spanish Government has introduced regulations which allow private owners to rent out their boats - so-called "nautical Airbnbs" - for up to three months a year in Majorca, effective January 1. The local backlash has been linked to fears that boat rentals will mirror the spike in STRs on the island in recent years.

Pedro Gill, of Majorca's charter companies association, warned that an influx of boats manned by tourists could create "chaos" in the island's ports.