An app designed to enable tourists to check if holiday rental properties are legal has been created by the Balearic Islands government.
The Holiday Rental Check Mallorca app is part of an initiative to regulate tourism rentals, to protect those travelling to the islands and to promote a sustainable tourism model that does not impact negatively on the destination.
The app is available in four languages – English, Catalan, Spanish and German – and allows tourists to search for rental homes while checking whether properties are compliant with rental laws.
Tourists can also search for legal properties on a map with a geo-location function.
Travellers who book an illegal property will not be prosecuted.
But they run the risk or arriving at the destination, having already paid, and finding the rental home closed down for breaching current rental regulations, according to officials.
Balearic minister for innovation, research and tourism, Bel Busquet, said: “We recognise our responsibility to protect our visitors and to be transparent with our rules and regulations.
“The new app allows visitors to have instant access to all the information they need about rental homes and to avoid any risks involved with renting illegal properties.
“Tourism continues to be a main contributor to the Balearic island economy and we take on board the challenges and concerns of both locals and visitors.
“Our aim is to develop a long term and sustainable tourism strategy, which provides the maximum benefit for islanders and visitors.”