The Habtur holiday rentals association in the Balearics has questioned Council of Mallorca figures for the advertising of illegal holiday lets. On Thursday, the Council reported that 40% of the properties were illegal.
The tourism councillor, José Marcial Rodríguez, gave a monthly average of 7,978 out of a total of 20,204, this having been the result of a twelve-month analysis.
A statement from Habtur says: "We strongly doubt the reliability of these figures. The study cannot validate any real snapshot." The association adds that neither the methodology nor the margins of error of the process have been disclosed and believes the exercise has been a "waste of public funds".
The Council's figures do not match those of the holiday rentals sector itself. Habtur therefore feels there should be an independent audit. "This percentage is, at the very least, unreliable and contributes to generating alarm, stigmatising legal operators, and distorting public debate."
To make matters worse, if the Council's data were accurate, they would signify a failure of Rodríguez's management as head of the tourism department. "He would have failed in his oversight obligation and should resign immediately. It is unacceptable for him to accept a snapshot that would certify two years of ineffectiveness without assuming responsibility."
Habtur is demanding "immediate transparency", including publication of the methodology that was used.