The rise in monthly rental prices for residents in tourist areas has now spread to nearby towns and villages that previously didn’t face such high costs. In response, unions like Sindicalistas de Base are urging the Canary Islands government to declare these areas as "stressed" to help address the situation.
The union's general secretary, Francisco Javier Fernández, highlighted the public's frustration, stating that the benefits of mass tourism in the Canary Islands are not reflected in residents' quality of life or wages, making it difficult for many to find somewhere to live or afford current rental prices.
This situation initially led to staff shortages in the hospitality industry but is now starting to affect all business sectors with increased workloads for existing employees.
Fernández said that short-term holiday lets and the number of holiday rental properties are the cause of the issue, urging the government to address it by designating affected municipalities as stressed zones as this would help manage the proliferation of holiday rentals and alleviate some pressure.
Manuel Fitas, the union’s communication secretary, reported a surge in absenteeism, and that long-term employees are leaving companies for temporary agencies to get a better work-life balance. He emphasised the need for solutions that benefit all parties involved.
As we reported last week, the Canary Islands now have 10,000 more legal holiday rental properties than in 2019. The Canary Islands Statistical Institute (ISTAC) reported that these rentals generated over 64 million euros in May 2024, with 44,613 properties available and 38,913 booked. The average stay was 4.05 days. The number of holiday homes and their revenue have steadily increased since 2019, with notable growth in available properties and income.
