The Lens: Spain tightens restrictions on tourist accommodation amid housing shortage protests

Cities in Europe are often celebrated as top tourist destinations, whether for their scenic landscapes, rich culture or delicious food. Recently, however, citizens from these tourist hotspots have become increasingly outraged at the negative impacts of mass tourism on their cities.

In response to growing public discontent, the Spanish government has passed a new “royal decree” tightening restrictions on tourist accommodation. Those looking to rent out their properties via any platform will now require a digital permit before doing so. The aim of this is to regulate short-term holiday lets and curb housing shortages. Similarly, the Czech government has banned tourist groups from organising night-time pub crawls.

While these policies are likely to appease locals and alleviate the problem of over-tourism, it is important to note that they also hold potential for economic restructuring. Tourism is one of the biggest contributors to the Spanish economy. The government’s policies restricting this sector’s growth will undoubtedly lead to many people becoming unemployed.

The decree places great stress on the Spanish labour market. However, it could also be a chance for the Spanish government to restructure its economy.

The Spanish government has long subsidised the aviation industry, allowing extremely low-cost airlines to operate flights into Spain. By raising aviation taxes or implementing broader tourist taxes, the Spanish government can reduce the total volume of tourists while still generating significant revenue.

Another strategy to address the issue of tourist “quality” is the introduction of tourist caps on popular attractions. While limiting overcrowding, this measure also aims to enhance the experience for tourists and locals.

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The recent resignation of K-pop idol Hong Seunghan from Riize, a rising boy band under SM Entertainment, has sparked a fierce battle within the fandom. Many South Korean fans view his past behaviour as unacceptable, while international supporters argue he is being unfairly punished.

Seunghan was placed on indefinite hiatus from the group in November of last year after photos of him smoking and kissing a woman in bed were leaked online.

The 21-year-old officially announced he was leaving the group two days after returning from an 11-month hiatus.

His departure comes due to intense backlash both online and in the real world. Some fans even sent white funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s offices to symbolise their demand that Seunghan leave the group.

In October, Wizard Production – the SM Entertainment production team in charge of Riize – announced that Seunghan would be rejoining the group. They stated that he had acknowledged his actions and was deeply apologetic.

That decision was met with anger from some Korean fans, who argued that his past actions had damaged the group’s reputation.

Within the image-conscious world of K-pop, idols are expected to maintain a wholesome demeanour. Smoking or being seen in romantic situations is often viewed negatively by fans.

However, the news of Seunghan’s resignation from the group led to a counter-backlash, primarily driven by international fans. They rallied to his defence and criticised what they described as a toxic cancel culture mentality among Korean fans. Many argued that Seunghan was a victim of having his privacy invaded and that he deserved a second chance.

• Do you think that the backlash against Seunghan was justified? Why or why not?

• What does this controversy say about the culture and expectations of the K-pop industry?

• In your opinion, what are appropriate responses to this situation from both Seunghan and the fans?