La Orotava Faces Political Clash Over Vacation Rental Surge and Housing Shortage
La Orotava’s local government is facing mounting political pressure to regulate the rise of vacation rentals as the municipality grapples with housing shortages and legislative disagreements.
The rise of vacation rentals in La Orotava has become a major political issue, mirroring the housing tensions seen across the Canary Islands. During the latest council meeting, Delia Escobar, the Councilor for Tourism, confirmed there are now 432 properties registered as vacation rentals in the municipality, providing 1,236 beds. These figures were released in response to concerns from the Asamblea por La Orotava group regarding how this trend is reducing the number of homes available for local residents.
The debate highlighted the legal challenges involved in regulating these rentals. While opposition members are calling for the local council to take a more active role in enforcement, the governing party, Coalición Canaria, maintains that only the regional government has the power to inspect and fine properties. However, the City Council is currently working on a new local ordinance and updating its urban development plan. These steps are essential to determine where vacation rentals can legally operate and to clarify how the municipality will handle new housing regulations from the national government.
Beyond the housing debate, the council meeting showed a clear lack of agreement between political parties. The local government rejected all proposals put forward by the opposition, including plans for new coworking spaces, improvements to public transport, the expansion of urban green areas to combat heat, and initiatives to support the LGTBIQ+ community. The meeting began with a minute of silence to honor the victims of the recent earthquake in Venezuela.