Malaga is planning to temporarily suspend licences for new hotels in the city – but luxury developments will be exempt.

Mayor Francisco de la Torre confirmed the planned moratorium would mainly affect lower-category hotels of under three stars, while four and five-star projects would continue to be permitted.

The move forms part of Malaga’s wider strategy to prioritise what the mayor described as ‘quality tourism’ rather than increasing visitor numbers.

‘We have always said we are committed to quality tourism, tourism of excellence, and that we do not want to grow in quantity,’ De la Torre said.

He stressed that luxury hotel projects would remain welcome in the city, adding: ‘Four and five-star hotels, especially five-star hotels, will be welcomed.’

Alongside the hotel restrictions, Malaga City Council also intends to freeze new licences for tourist flat developments.

Unlike tourist flats, which have faced restrictions since last August, tourist apartment projects currently face no limits in the city and have rapidly expanded in recent months.

The council plans to introduce both moratoriums through a modification of Malaga’s General Urban Development Plan (PGOU).

According to De la Torre, the initial proposal would suspend new licences for one year, although he suggested the restrictions could remain in place for longer if legally possible.

‘The aim is to stop and reflect in order to move forward with certainty,’ the mayor said.

He argued the city must find a balance between maintaining a strong tourism sector – considered key for employment – while also protecting housing availability and land for residential development.

The mayor also addressed the controversial conversion of commercial premises into housing.

He confirmed Malaga would continue allowing such conversions, but only for permanent residential use and not for tourist accommodation.

‘On this issue we will be inflexible, absolutely inflexible,’ De la Torre insisted.

The announcement comes amid growing public pressure over housing affordability and tourism saturation in Malaga, where residents have increasingly complained about rising rents, tourist apartments and speculative property investment.

However, opposition parties criticised the proposed moratorium as insufficient.

Left-wing coalition Con Malaga said it would demand a five-year freeze instead of just one year.

Deputy spokeswoman Toni Morillas described the proposal as ‘hypocritical and opportunistic’, while party spokesman Nicolas Sguiglia accused the mayor of acting more like ‘a tourism and property developer’ than a city leader.

The opposition has also called on residents to join a housing rights protest planned for June 27.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.