In 2028, Barcelona plans to close 10,500 tourist apartments within the city that have been a point of contention over tourism management and local housing. The initiative is now expanding its reach to include neighboring municipalities such as L’Hospitalet, Sant Adrià, Esplugues, Cornellà, and Sant Feliu, where local governments are also aiming to restrict or eliminate tourist housing. These municipalities, led by mayors from the PSC party, are responding to the pressures of housing shortages and the impacts of excessive tourism on local communities.

The mayors have expressed a unified commitment to replicate Barcelona's measures, acknowledging the importance of balancing tourism benefits with the needs of residents. This decision comes after an acknowledgment from the mayor of Badalona, who initially suggested a complete ban but later adjusted his stance to allow existing tourist apartments while preventing the establishment of new ones. This position highlights the complex dynamics local leaders are navigating, balancing political party lines with communal intensifications.

The expansion of the ban reflects growing concerns about the sustainability of the tourism industry in relation to affordable housing and the quality of life for residents in these urban areas around Barcelona. With these closures, local governments hope to redirect the focus to permanent housing solutions as they wrestle with the implications of tourism on local infrastructure and community well-being.