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GUEST COLUMN: What can a small town in Austria teach Spain about tackling its housing crisis?

In a first guest column for the Olive Press, regular reader and commenter Mark Leonard took the time to write about his experiences in the Austrian Alps.

Are you an avid Olive Press reader? Got lots of ideas and comments when you read our articles? Got a hankering to write your own guest column for the Olive Press? Get in touch: walter@theolivepress.es

SPAIN ranks as the second most visited country by international visitors in Europe – behind only France.

Tourism has traditionally been regarded as one of the main drivers of the Spanish economy, and ever more so today.

While the sector accounted for 12.3% of Spain’s GDP in 2023 – worth an estimated €186.6 billion – the rapid expansion of the economy is expected to see that proportion grow.

A recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) suggests this year the figures could balloon to €260.5 billion – equivalent to almost 16% of the national economy. 

Despite this economic bonanza, what has changed today is the view that the provision of accommodation for tourists has increasingly hoovered up the housing stock, resulting in an acute shortage for Spanish citizens.

READ MORE: Spain’s housing market sees single biggest price surge in history – average Madrid home jumps from €464,000 to €572,300 in just 12 months

When demand exceeds supply, prices rise. When prices rise, all things being equal, goods and services become less affordable for more citizens.

Having just returned from a few days in the west of Austria, I wondered if I might come across symptoms of a similar nature to those that exist in Spain, with  demonstrations against tourism, for similar reasons. 

I didn’t. Or at least not quite for the same reason, although what I did find also concerned housing. But no demonstrations, just disquiet in some locations.

Liechtenstein borders Austria in the west.........

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