Xavier García Albiol, the mayor of Badalona, has made a groundbreaking announcement stating his intention to close all tourist apartments in the city by 2028. This announcement is notable as it makes him the first mayor from the Popular Party (PP) to take such a decisive stance against tourist accommodation in a major municipality. Albiol's commitment comes in response to a decree from the Generalitat, which will result in the expiration of current licenses for tourist apartments across Catalonia in 2028. Following this, municipalities will be required to create urban planning regulations to determine the future of such properties.

Albiol emphasized the necessity of this decision by underscoring the need to protect local residents, stating that tough choices must sometimes be made, even if they go against the party's typical ideology. He argued that the current situation in Badalona is unsustainable, especially as neighboring areas are moving to prohibit tourist flats, thus it was essential for Badalona not to be left vulnerable to a surge in these types of accommodations that could disrupt local life.

This policy shift may have significant implications for both local tourism and the housing market in Badalona. While it aims to improve the quality of life for residents by reducing the number of short-term rentals, it may also lead to economic repercussions for property owners and businesses that rely on tourism. Albiol’s announcement sets a new precedent for local governance in Catalonia and may prompt other municipalities to reevaluate their approaches to tourist accommodation in light of changing regulations.