The Besalú consistory previously studied creating an ordinance to regulate tourist apartments, a proposal that received allegations and remained pending. This initiative falls within the housing policies of the Generalitat de Catalunya regarding rent price limitations.
“"In the historic center, we will establish some limitation that will involve a certain percentage of housing, as other municipalities have done."
Mayor Lluís Guinó explained that a downward revision of some rents has been detected, which has balanced the market. Nevertheless, they plan to set a cap, possibly 30% of the housing units, as had been considered almost two years ago.
Regarding visitor flow, Guinó assured that Besalú is "practically at the same pre-COVID visitor levels." Tourism has diversified, with an increase in European visitors (especially French speakers from France or Belgium) and North Americans, attracted by the town's Jewish past, while tourism from Israel has decreased.
The consistory highlights that activities such as Besalú Medieval, summer guided tours, proposals linked to ratafia, and the Processó dels Dolors have helped to de-seasonalize tourism. Furthermore, Besalú was a finalist in the + història awards by National Geographic in the walled historic center category.
