Tuesday, October 1, 2024 In a major win for developers and tourism advocates in Spain , over 1,000 new tourist flats have been approved for construction in the Costa Blanca region , specifically in the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada. This announcement comes despite fierce opposition from anti-tourism protesters , who have been actively campaigning against the development of more short-term rental properties , citing concerns about over-tourism , rising property prices, and the strain on local infrastructure. The new holiday homes , expected to accommodate up to 2,700 new residents, are set to reshape the dynamics of the local tourism economy while leaving critics of mass tourism frustrated.
The planned 1,086 holiday flats will be built on a 290,000 square meter parcel of rural land at Lo Monte Playa , an area popular with tourists for its proximity to Mil Palmeras Beach and other coastal attractions. The Pilar de la Horadada council voted in favor of the project on September 27, with the ruling Partido Popular (PP) supporting the development and receiving backing from Vox. Opposition was less visible in the voting room, with PSOE councillors abstaining from the vote.
While the project is being heralded as a significant economic opportunity for the region, anti-tourism groups have been vocal in their opposition, fearing that the increased number of tourist properties will exacerbate the housing crisis, strain local services, and contribute to the degradation of the natur.
