The presidents of the tourism associations of Lanzarote (Asolan) and Fuerteventura (Asofuer), Susana Pérez and Antonio Hormiga, have requested the Government of the Canary Islands to intensify inspections on the illegal offer of vacation homes, which they say is not only generating a "social problem" due to the "lack of housing for residents", but also "an imbalance in the market" and a "negative impact on the tourism sector."
"The lack of housing for residence, motivated by the vacation use of many properties, has been generating serious problems for citizens, as denounced by different citizen platforms, and producing an unsustainable imbalance in the market," the associations state in a statement, in which they also demand the "urgent" publication of the new vacation home decree.
The associations of the eastern islands argue that "each island territory, and area in particular, has different singularities", so they share "the idea that the City Councils and Cabildos can delimit uses and areas, as many cities such as Palma de Mallorca, Madrid or San Sebastián, among others, have already done." However, on this aspect they warn that "although it is the most convenient, the truth is that the process will be delayed in time, since the local entities must analyze and then establish the limits they consider."
"A change of course that affects economic prospects"
The representatives of the tourism business owners of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura assure that "the situation is worsening as shown by the numerous platforms that are emerging in the archipelago to demand a solution to "this serious problem that is so distorting the market, causing difficulties for workers who are running out of rental housing, as they are moving to the tourist market."
In this sense, they urge the Canarian Executive "to intensify inspections on the illegal offer of vacation homes, which according to the latest study carried out by the Tourism Department itself, amounts to 31,675 homes, 131,032 beds in the Islands as a whole, that is, 22% of the total bed offer."
Hormiga and Pérez warn about "a change of course in the tourism sector that affects the economic prospects generated by this segment of illegal tourist use homes in the islands, as demonstrated by the figures for hotel and non-hotel occupancy since the end of last year." In this context, they point to the "important role played by tour operators in favor of promoting the arrival of tourists to our direct competitors, while in the Canary Islands we remain waiting for a successful regulation."
