Viviendas Uso Turístico

The tourism sector considers that the decree is fulfilling its objective of introducing this type of accommodation in the regulated tourism offer.

The tourism housing decree has completed its first year in force, a period during which it has been ratified by the courts and is proving its efficiency in the progressive introduction of this type of accommodation in the regulated tourism offer. A decree that, according to both the sector and the Spanish Tourist Housing Federation, has applied common sense by introducing quality and tax criteria necessary for the management of this accommodation offer. A decree of easy application that has been elaborated in dialogue with the different agents involved, which has allowed the establishment of a lasagna norm that is allowing the incorporation of a great number of houses that were in a legal limbo.

The regulations governing this new type of accommodation, which represents a global trend, allowed the development of more than 5,400 tourist accommodation throughout the Community. This type of housing currently accounts for 16% of the total of 163,000 tourist accommodation places in Galicia. By provinces, most of them are concentrated in Pontevedra and A Coruña, while in Lugo and Ourense they have a lower presence. As for their distribution by city councils, the majority of registered tourist dwellings are in coastal or urban destinations such as Sanxenxo, Santiago de Compostela, O Grove, Barreiros, Foz, A Coruña, Vigo, Poio, Cangas, Carnota, Fisterra and Bueu, among others.

Inspection and collaboration
After a first year aimed at regularising the new situation, this accommodation is incorporated into the Galician Tourism Inspection Plan in order to make further progress in its implementation. To carry out this work, the Galician Government seeks the collaboration of the town councils and the central government, for their competences in this field, and of the online marketing platforms.

It should be remembered that holiday rentals in Galicia have three types of accommodation: tourist apartments, tourist dwellings and dwellings for tourist use. The first two were previously regulated by this decree. The main novelty was the development of the tourist use housing, those given by third parties, in a repeated manner and in exchange for economic compensation, for short stays, furnished and equipped under conditions of immediate availability, among other characteristics.

In order to be able to sell these properties, at least twice a year, they must be registered in the Register of Tourist Companies and Activities (REAT), for which a responsible declaration must be submitted.