The president of the CEOE business association in Tenerife, Pedro Alfonso, has raised concerns over a notable drop in hotel reservations in the last few months and warned of its potential impact on the island’s tourism sector.
Speaking at a press conference to present the first-quarter 2025 economic report, Alfonso said tourism operators have reported a “slump” in bookings, particularly for the upcoming summer season.
Alfonso also commented on the disruption caused by recent industrial action during the Easter holidays, declaring that economic activity “is sacred”. He warned that “every small collapse has an echo in trust”, stressing that “when confidence falls, investment comes to a halt”.
Emphasising the importance of industrial relations, he called for a return to “dialogue, trust, and common sense” and cautioned against turning collective bargaining into a “battleground.”
Regarding the stalled negotiations over the sector’s collective agreement, Alfonso welcomed the hotel employers’ decision to propose a new date to resume talks. He described the move as “a gesture of goodwill and commitment” and criticised the unions for failing to recognise it. “This is not about making headlines,” he said, “it’s about safeguarding jobs”.
While acknowledging the recent downturn in summer bookings, Alfonso explained that this decline is part of a broader trend affecting other regions beyond the Canary Islands. Nonetheless, he expressed hope that the situation could improve “at the last minute” if stability is restored.
