Urgent Measures Needed for Workers’ Housing in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The provincial hospitality associations of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Ashotel and AERO, alongside the trade unions Sindicalistas de Base Canarias (SBC) and UGT Canarias, have called for urgent measures to facilitate housing access for workers in the sector.

Insufficient Regulation of Holiday Rentals

In a statement issued by Ashotel, the business and union organisations highlight that the current situation is exacerbated by inadequate regulation of holiday rentals. They assert that this mode of accommodation is entirely valid, provided it is subject to control and regulation, like the rest of the tourism offerings. This is essential to prevent further strain on the availability of residential housing.

Regulation through Legislative Action

In this context, they express hope that the upcoming legislation regarding the Tourist Use of Housing, currently under consideration in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, achieves its initial objectives. This includes regulating a commercial activity and limiting the conversion of residential properties into holiday rentals, thereby contributing to a solution for the housing crisis on the Islands and preventing the proliferation of unregulated tourist beds.

Impact on Workers in the Tourism Sector

The statement highlights that the tourism sector, particularly the accommodation and restaurant subsectors, employs around 140,000 workers in the Canary Islands, with 76,000 based in Tenerife. Many individuals in this workforce find their job opportunities hindered due to the inability to access affordable housing.