The Hotel and Catering Federation of Intersindical Canaria in Lanzarote has denounced the lack of regulation in the promotion, sale and consumption of alcohol in hotels and "all-inclusive" establishments. The union has stated that the lack of regulation in the Canary Islands, "largely sponsored by the economic interests of alcoholic beverage producing companies, has meant a deterioration of the tourist offer".
And it even considers that "one of the attractions" for tourists is precisely the ease of acquiring alcohol and the low prices compared to the countries from which most of the visitors come.
"Aware of this demand, certain 'all-inclusive' hotel establishments offer among their products a wide variety of drinks, which contain alcohol and which can be found throughout the establishment, practically at any time and lacking any control and supervision", the union insisted in a statement.
Intersindical Canaria has stated that the "inclusion of this drug" in this type of tourist offer "not only facilitates and encourages the massive intake of alcoholic beverages and the disastrous consequences for the health of visitors who are consumers of this substance, but also negatively affects the worsening of the working conditions of the contracted personnel".
Problems for workers
In this sense, the union has assured that employees must face "greater dirt and disorder in the rooms, breakage of furniture and incorrect treatment." They have also warned that there may be annoyances towards the staff that directly attends to the clientele, "degradation of hygienic conditions and an increased risk of accidents".
Faced with this situation, the Federation of Hospitality of the union has urged the island institutions and the Government of the Canary Islands to adopt the appropriate legal measures to exclude alcohol where the 'all-inclusive' is offered and regulate its distribution and sale within hotel establishments. In addition, it has asked that they make an effort to ensure that companies in the sector promote another type of tourism model, "based on respect for our history as a people and for our cultural peculiarities and national identity".
