In a statement, Barcelona said it had initiated proceedings "that will result in 600,000-euro fines for each of them for the repeat offence of advertising tourist lodgings online" without authorisation. The city hall led by mayor Ada Colau, a former anti-eviction activist, is working to curb a boom in visitor numbers it fears could drive out poor residents and spoil the charm of Barcelona. A popular 2014 documentary about Barcelona's tense relationship with visitors, "Bye Bye Barcelona", warned that the city was becoming "a theme park". Already in December last year, Barcelona authorities slapped Airbnb and HomeAway with a fine of 30,000 euros, then the maximum, for offering for rent homes which lacked permits. Then in June, city hall increased the maximum possible fine 20-fold to 600,000 euros.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 24, 2016 10:27 UTC