The Perfect Storm: Housing Crisis Impacts Tourism in the Canary Islands
In recent weeks, striking headlines from the Canary Islands highlighted a troubling trend: restaurants forced to close their doors on weekends and hotels limiting operations due to a severe shortage of workers. This crisis is largely attributed to a “perfect storm” of housing shortages and inadequate transportation, particularly in the tourist-heavy regions of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Persistent Challenges in Recruitment
The struggle to find sufficient personnel is not a new phenomenon. Discussions about recruitment challenges date back at least a year, when major hotel chains like Riu and Meliá began offering housing incentives to attract employees. Despite these efforts, the staffing crisis persists, as pointed out by industry experts Mario de la Cruz, manager of Asofuer, and Susana Pérez, president of Asolan.
Unfilled Positions in Critical Areas
The pattern of unfilled positions is consistent across both islands, with escalating rental costs and limited residential options hampering the entry and retention of workers. Industries suffering the most from this trend include hospitality, particularly roles in kitchen services, dining areas, housekeeping, and intermediate management.
What’s more alarming is that this issue is not confined solely to the tourism sector. Other vital public sectors—including healthcare, education, and security services—are also feeling the impact, a concern raised by Pérez, underscoring the widespread nature of this crisis.
The Housing Quandary
The housing crisis has deep roots and is affecting communities beyond the primary tourist zones. De la Cruz emphasizes that the residential tension is no longer isolated to hotspots but is spilling over into local municipalities like Puerto del Rosario. The bureaucratic slow pace in the processing of construction licenses—often exceeding a year—exacerbates the issue. Both De la Cruz and Pérez advocate for a continuous housing development plan that encourages public-private collaboration and improves land availability for residential projects.
A chef at work in a restaurant. / EFE
Inefficient Transportation Networks
Another layer to this multifaceted crisis is the lack of a robust transportation infrastructure. The influx of new residents has not been met with corresponding improvements in public transport. De la Cruz notes that many individuals struggle to access jobs located in tourist hubs like Corralejo and Jandía, especially if they find housing in more remote municipalities. Complaints from both employers and employees about transit problems have been piling up, further complicating the staffing crisis.
In Lanzarote, Pérez highlights the shift of workers from urban centers to smaller towns due to unsustainable rental prices, reinforcing the urgent need for better public transit connections and increased service frequencies.
Skills Gap Complicates Matters
On top of housing and transport troubles, a skills gap persists among job seekers, particularly for management positions. While this has presented challenges, experts like Pérez mention that it is not currently the primary obstacle, as many hotels are now opting to invest in internal training programs for those who demonstrate a willingness to learn.
A housekeeping staff member in action at a hotel. / Archivo
Urgency for Structural Solutions
Despite some enterprises taking temporary measures—such as blocking off hotel units for employee accommodation or purchasing residential properties—the underlying issues remain unaddressed. De la Cruz warns that these stop-gap solutions do not get to the heart of the matter. For the industries involved, the emphasis must be on developing structural solutions that address both housing and labor market needs comprehensively.
As the ripple effects of these complex issues continue to unfold within the community, the need for actionable, long-lasting solutions becomes increasingly critical. The health of the local economy—and the livelihoods of those who depend on it—hinges on the resolution of these intertwined challenges.
