The Balearic Government has got its wish - a ban on so-called nautical Airbnb, the renting-out of boats by private individuals.
The Spanish Government's secretary of maritime transport, Benito Núñez, says there is to be an amendment to regulations approved last August. This will apply to recreational boating in "saturated territories", e.g. the Balearics, and prevent this private renting-out for up to three months a year (which is the maximum period allowed under the Spanish regulations). The consequent ban is expected to come into effect in June.
The amendment will also require that anyone renting a boats has a nautical qualification, regardless of the length of the boat. Vicenç Vidal, a deputy in Congress for Sumar-Més, who pressed Núñez on this matter on Tuesday, says the amendment will "stop this disaster, which will cause more and more accidents in the Balearics". Vidal stresses that it is "key to safety".
Last year, the Balearic Government expressly prohibited the private rental in its own regulations. This was supported by the charter industry. The Spanish Government responded by announcing legal action against the regional regulations, arguing that these infringed upon its powers.
However, Madrid was sympathetic to the Balearic Government's position and indicated that there would be amendment to the regulations. With this in mind, and given the fact that there have only been seven applications to date, Núñez was yesterday critical of the "alarmism" that had been generated in the Balearics.