A recent study by the Spanish tourism association, Exceltur, reveals that Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is among ten large Spanish cities where the number of beds in holiday homes (9,778) now exceeds those in hotels (6,413). This marks a significant shift in the city’s accommodation landscape.
Expansion of Holiday Homes
In the past year alone, the supply of tourist accommodation in Las Palmas grew by 830 units (a 9.3% increase), while the number of hotel rooms declined by 72 (a 1.1% drop). This disparity has made Las Palmas one of the most prominent examples of this trend, alongside cities such as Malaga, Valencia, Seville, and Alicante.
National Context

Nationally, Las Palmas ranks ninth among cities with the highest number of holiday homes, trailing behind larger destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga. The trend of converting residential properties into tourist accommodations is widespread, with only Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca seeing slight decreases in their holiday home offerings last year.
Concerns Over Unregulated Tourist Housing
Exceltur highlights the strain this surge in holiday rentals has placed on both the tourism sector and local communities. Many of these properties do not comply with regulatory standards, exacerbating tourist pressure and sparking concerns about housing affordability.
Despite efforts by local and regional governments to regulate the market and strengthen inspection measures, compliance remains inconsistent. To address this, Exceltur supports the implementation of the Royal Decree of the Digital One-Stop Shop for Leases, which aims to prevent digital platforms from advertising unregistered tourist properties.
Local Government Response

The Las Palmas City Council is seeking to declare the entire city a “stressed area” under the Housing Law. This designation is part of an effort to curb rising rental prices, which have surged alongside the growth of tourist flats.
Between 2020 and October 2024, the number of tourist flats in Las Palmas more than doubled, from 2,050 to 4,716. Some neighbourhoods, such as Puerto-Santa Catalina, La Isleta, Guanarteme, Vegueta, and Triana, now have more tourist flats than residential properties.
Implications for the City
The rapid expansion of holiday homes reflects a booming tourism sector but raises questions about long-term sustainability and housing equity. As the city grapples with these challenges, striking a balance between supporting tourism and preserving affordable housing for residents remains a priority.