News from Tenerife (#28) is published every week as a short news overview of the past week on your favorite website.
In this series, we publish a number of events and news facts from the past week. Each article in News from Tenerife is a synthesis of several facts, actions, and occurrences that are too short to be published as a full-fledged article.
Hospitality Strike
News from Tenerife #28/1
The hospitality strike in Tenerife on Thursday, April 17, received significant support, despite the imposed minimumservice requirements. According to data from picket lines at hotel entrances, participation in the strike was approximately 70%, with variations by region and department. The greatest impact was observed in the restaurant and kitchen departments, while participation was lower in reception, technical services, housekeeping, and cleaning. The highest participation occurred in hotels in the south of Tenerife, where some hotels saw over 80% participation in the strike, followed by the north and the island of La Gomera with around 60%. No data is available regarding participation on the island of La Palma.
The Federación Sindical Canaria (FSC) reports that companies, on the day prior to the start of the strike, communicated the assignment of minimum service duties to employees whom they knew intended to participate in the strike. This is seen as a clear attempt to mitigate the effects of the strike and constitutes a blatant violation of union freedom and the right to strike, which will lead to immediate legal action in the competent labor courts. Additionally, they warn about the alleged hiring of staff through temporary employment agencies, a practice they consider explicitly prohibited and which, according to them, has been adopted by some companies once they became aware of the strike call.
The union organization insists that the Government of the Canary Islands and the employers’ associations must take note of the scale of the call and play a more active role in resolving the conflict. They believe that the regional government should move from mediation to exerting pressure to force the opening of negotiations that can lead to an agreement and prevent future strikes. They also demand that the profits generated by the tourism sector be translated into wage increases, job guarantees, and higher quality services provided to the public.
Rental prices rise again
News from Tenerife #28/2
Rental prices in the Canary Islands increased by 7.6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter last year, reaching an average of €14.47 per square meter per month. This represents a 7.2% increase compared to the previous quarter, according to data from the Fotocasa Real Estate Index.
In the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, rental prices rose by 8.8%, while in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an increase of 5.5% was recorded. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife itself, the increase was the largest, with 14.3% in the first three months of the year. Other municipalities with significant increases include San Bartolomé de Tirajana (+8%), Arona (+5.4%), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (+5.3%), Güímar (+4.8%), and San Cristóbal de La Laguna (+0.2%). Conversely, rental prices decreased in Puerto de la Cruz by 0.2% and in Telde by 0.6%.
At the national level, rental prices in Spain increased by 9.6% year-on-year, reaching an average of €13.55 per square meter per month. The highest rental prices per square meter are paid in Madrid (€20.86), followed by Catalonia (€18.29), the Balearic Islands (€17.91), and the Basque Country (€16.41).
According to María Matos, Director of Studies and spokesperson for Fotocasa, rental prices continue to rise at very high rates. She emphasizes that we are currently experiencing the largest increase in rental prices in Spain’s recent history, driven by record-high demand and a structurally low supply, which puts pressure on the market.
In the first quarter of 2025, quarterly increases were recorded in 15 autonomous communities, while 17 communities showed year-on-year increases. Six communities reached their highest rental prices ever in March: the Canary Islands (€14.47/m² per month), Extremadura (€7.07), Galicia (€9.77), the Region of Murcia (€9.57), the Valencian Community (€13.04), and Castile and León (€9.29).
Up to March, rental prices increased in 40 provinces on a quarterly basis and in 50 provinces on a year-on-year basis. The five provinces with the largest quarterly increases are Teruel (+18.1%), Guadalajara (+13.2%), Cádiz (+10.8%), Cantabria (+10%), and Huelva (+10%). On the other hand, rental prices decreased in provinces such as Zamora (-13.3%), Gipuzkoa (-4.6%), Álava (-4.3%), Huesca (-4.1%), Cuenca (-3.4%), Soria (-2.5%), La Rioja (-2.5%), León (-1.5%), Bizkaia (-0.4%), and Tarragona (-0.1%).
These data highlight the ongoing increase in rental prices in Spain, particularly in tourist and urban areas, posing challenges for housing affordability.
Hundreds of Violations on Mount Teide
News from Tenerife #28/3
The Cabildo of Tenerife has filed nearly one hundred reports this year for environmental violations in the Teide National Park. Environmental agents, the Canary Islands Police, and the Civil Guard have made 98 reports thanks to increased surveillance and the deployment of special operations such as the one currently underway for Semana Santa. The reported violations in Teide National Park include illegal parking, activities without authorization (or not complying with conditions) in a protected natural area, driving a motorized vehicle on a forest trail without permission, and camping without a valid permit in a protected area, among other infractions. In 2024, the number of reports for activities in Teide National Park nearly tripled compared to 2023, rising from 100 to 262 due to the work of environmental agents, the Canary Islands Police, and the Civil Guard.
The amounts of the fines vary depending on the type of infraction. For example, making a fire in a protected natural area with serious risk to its integrity carries a fine of up to €6,000, while driving, stopping, or parking a vehicle (with or without a motor) off-road, in a protected area on a trail or path (due to potential danger to pedestrians), ranges between €1,500 and €6,000. Additionally, organizing a for-profit activity without authorization results in a €600 fine, while camping in an exclusion or restricted access area is fined €400.
Carrying out the burning of agricultural waste without authorization can result in a fine of €700 to €1,000 (depending on the risk season, proximity to forested areas, and monitoring of the burn), while hunting during a closed season entails a €1,000 fine.
The Cabildo of Tenerife has launched a special surveillance and traffic control operation in certain natural areas of the island during Semana Santa to ensure the safety of individuals. The surveillance and traffic control operation is made up of the Civil Guard, the local police of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, the Canary Islands Police, and the environmental agents of the Cabildo.
The operation was launched last Friday (the 11th) and is coordinated to ensure a constant police presence in the area. In this regard, any traffic violation will be pursued and sanctioned. Specifically, the Semana Santa special operation is taking place in Teide National Park (Portillo-Los Azulejos section), the Anaga Rural Park (Cruz del Carmen and Taganana), and the Teno Rural Park (Masca).
Canarian Banana Prices Skyrocket
News from Tenerife #28/4
The price of bananas is soaring in the Canary Islands, due in part to rising costs and weather conditions that have led to a drop in production. The price of Canarian bananas in some stores is now nearing three euros per kilo.
It’s clear that no one is a prophet in their own land, as the saying goes, and something similar seems to be happening with Canarian fruit, which is left sitting on store shelves due to its high price. Meanwhile, other imported fruits, such as premium oranges (€2.75/kg) or nectarines (€4.95/kg), are purchased and eaten with genuine enthusiasm.
“Banana growers have been on the brink of extinction,” says Ángela Delgado, president of Asaga-Asaja Canarias. In an interview with Atlántico Hoy, she recalls that many banana farmers have abandoned cultivation, finding themselves in financial distress due to debts and economic losses stemming from their commitment to the sector. Over the past two years, banana farming on the islands has faced extremely low prices, “not even covering production costs.” According to Delgado, “many banana farms are for sale. Some producers are throwing in the towel — something that has never happened before.”
The rise in fruit prices is partly due to a lower supply in the market. Delgado explains that production has dropped from 8.5 million kilos per week (previously shipped to the mainland) to 6.5 million kilos, indicating a decline in productivity. An active winter with more rain and cold has directly impacted the crop — something that hadn’t occurred in years. “The ideal climate for the banana plant is subtropical, which yields more kilos in less time,” says Delgado. The previous year, marked by drought, “production was very high and prices plummeted.”
A cool winter and a rainy spring have caused the banana plant to weaken and grow more slowly. Adding to this the damage from the volcanic eruption on several farms in La Palma, it is clear that the market supply of the product does not meet demand, leading to higher prices. The limited availability of the fruit in shops is creating a cost structure that may continue until September. “It is estimated that bananas will maintain this price until the end of summer,” she adds.
In general, the costs of fruit cultivation have increased. Fertilizer prices have doubled, labor costs continue to rise, and all of this impacts the final product price. “You have to view the banana within the context of the entire fruit market,” the president states, explaining that it is only fair for banana growers — who in previous years were earning only 30 to 40 cents per kilo — to now receive between €1.50 and €1.70 per kilo, thus preventing the total collapse of the sector. To maintain this, however, market fluctuations must be closely monitored.
Wheater Alerts in April
News from Tenerife #28/5
In recent weeks, the Canary Islands — especially Tenerife — have experienced a series of severe weather events that have caused significant damage. The Spanish Meteorological Agency AEMET has issued multiple weather warnings, ranging from yellow to orange and even red, in response to storms such as Nuria and Martinho.
On April 3, 2025, Tenerife was placed under an orange warning due to Storm Nuria. This storm brought wind gusts of up to 124 km/h in Teide National Park and caused considerable damage. In Puerto de la Cruz, a 72-year-old man was injured after being struck by a loose metal object. Additionally, 45 flights were canceled, and flooding was reported in low-lying areas.
The heavy rainfall and storm-force winds have led to numerous instances of damage. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, streets were flooded, severely hampering traffic. On Gran Canaria, cars were swept away by water, resulting in significant material damage. In Teide National Park, heavy snowfall and strong wind gusts triggered avalanches, leading to the temporary closure of hiking trails.
Authorities have taken several measures to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. Pre-alerts were activated for hazardous coastal conditions and snowfall in higher elevations. Furthermore, the public was advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to follow the instructions of emergency services.
Although the weather conditions appear to be improving, authorities remain vigilant. AEMET continues to monitor the situation and will issue further warnings if necessary. Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow official channels for the most up-to-date information and alerts.
These recent events underscore the importance of continued preparedness and awareness of the potential dangers posed by extreme weather conditions in the Canary Islands.
These events and developments have a significant impact on life in Tenerife, highlighting the diverse challenges, progress, and opportunities faced by the island.
Unknown © Photography
News from Tenerife #28 ©
More NEWS can be read [HERE].
Interested in Tenerife?
Subscribe to our newsletter and always stay informed about the news on Tenerife.
Enter your first name and a valid email address below. Then click on Subscribe.
 is published every week as a short news overview of the past week on your favorite website.){kind=link}