Spain introduces new rules in popular holiday town as war on tourists continues with more fines

The municipal council of San Sebastián have introduced the new rules to crack down on overtourism and "promote a more orderly flow of visitors in the busiest areas of the city", according to the Councillor for Tourism.

The rules, which will be enforced from April 10, limit the use of megaphones and mean groups can not exceed 20 people in the high season and 25 people at quieter times.

Tours can not take place outside the hours of 8am and 11pm in an attempt to limit the impact tourists will make on locals.

San Sebastián is an extremely popular part of Spain for tourists to visit and it saw tourism grow more than 65 per cent between 2005 and 2019.

Because of this, the area has considered several ways to minimise any disruptions caused by tourists during busy periods. This includes new hotels being banned from opening in the Spanish resort town. This will drastically restrict how many tourists can visit at one time.

Hotels that are already open will be able to continue to trade. The city's mayor Eneko Goia previously said: "The supply of tourist accommodation is sufficient and it is time to limit the opening of new businesses."

He added this is not to ban tourists, but to make tourism more "sustainable". However, having fewer rooms for tourists could lead to a surge in the price for holidaymakers fighting for the rooms available.

These are not the only new changes proposed in Spain and some British tourists have vowed to ditch the country because of new restrictions.

Spanish officials have shared plans to reduce the opening hours in the hospitality industry. A new warning has also been shared as people could be hit with fines of up to £500 for wearing the wrong clothing.

It is against the law to wear only a bikini or swimming shorts in public spaces such as restaurants and shops in some parts of Spain.

Reduced opening hours have also been proposed for bars and restaurants, as minister of employment and social economy Yolanda Díaz said opening hours are not "reasonable" currently.

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GB News readers have shared mixed reactions to the new rules with some claiming they will avoid going to Spain altogether. One reader wrote: "Boycott Spain ... Their loss", while another added: "Avoid. [There are] plenty of other countries."

One more stated: "Our families have regularly chosen Spain, due to short flights. We prefer the islands rather than the mainland. But I have to agree, our money will now line the Greek's pockets this year."

Another holidaymaker said: "If it wasn't for us British going there on holiday, they wouldn't have an economy... I've already cancelled my holiday."