Why Lanzarote Is Facing a Tourism Staff Shortage in 2026
As Lanzarote prepares for another busy summer season, a growing challenge is emerging behind the scenes. Hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses across the island are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain staff.
Industry representatives have warned that some accommodation providers are already being forced to adjust operations because they cannot fill vacancies quickly enough. While visitor numbers remain strong and occupancy forecasts are generally positive, employers say the shortage of available workers has become one of the biggest issues facing the island’s tourism sector.
The Housing Problem at the Centre of the Crisis
Many tourism employers believe the biggest obstacle is not a lack of jobs but a lack of affordable housing.
Over the past few years, rental prices across Lanzarote have risen significantly, particularly in tourist areas such as Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca. Workers arriving from other islands, mainland Spain or overseas often struggle to find accommodation within their budget.
For many potential employees, the cost of renting a property can consume a large portion of their salary before other living expenses are considered. As a result, some workers are choosing destinations where housing is easier to secure, while others are leaving the tourism industry altogether.
The problem is not unique to Lanzarote. Tourism destinations across Spain and Europe are facing similar challenges, particularly in coastal and island locations where housing demand remains high.
Fewer Young People Entering the Industry
Another concern is the declining number of young people choosing careers in hospitality and tourism.
Industry leaders say many younger workers are looking for employment that offers predictable schedules, remote-working opportunities and greater flexibility. Traditional tourism jobs often involve shift work, weekends and public holidays, making them less attractive compared with opportunities in other sectors.
The tourism industry remains Lanzarote’s largest employers, but businesses report increasing difficulty attracting new entrants to roles such as receptionists, housekeepers, maintenance staff, chefs and waiting staff.
A Shortage of Qualified Staff
Employers also point to a shortage of experienced and qualified workers.
As tourism businesses become increasingly digital, staff are expected to use reservation systems, customer management software and online booking platforms. At the same time, visitors continue to expect high standards of service and multilingual communication.
Finding candidates with the right skills and experience has become more difficult, especially during peak tourist seasons when demand for workers increases rapidly. Hospitality organisations across Europe have identified skills shortages as one of the sector’s most pressing challenges.
The Lasting Impact of the Pandemic
Although tourism has recovered strongly since the pandemic, the workforce has not fully returned.
Many hospitality workers who left the sector during travel restrictions found employment elsewhere and never returned. Businesses across Europe continue to report difficulties replacing experienced staff who moved into different industries offering more stable hours and career progression.
The result is a smaller pool of available workers competing for a growing number of vacancies.
The Brexit Effect on Lanzarote’s Workforce
Another factor frequently mentioned by businesses across Lanzarote is the impact of Brexit on recruitment.
Before the UK left the European Union, British citizens could live and work in Spain without requiring additional immigration permissions, making them an important part of the island’s tourism workforce. Many hotels, bars, restaurants, excursion companies and customer service businesses relied on English-speaking staff from the UK to help serve Lanzarote’s largest tourism market.
Since Brexit, British passport holders who do not already have residency rights in Spain face additional visa and work permit requirements before they can be legally employed. For many employers, this has added complexity to the recruitment process and reduced the pool of available candidates.
The change has been particularly noticeable in customer-facing tourism roles where fluent English is highly valued. While businesses continue to recruit workers from Spain and other European Union countries, some employers say it is now harder to fill positions that were traditionally popular with British workers seeking to live and work in the Canary Islands.
As the UK remains one of Lanzarote’s most important tourism markets, industry observers believe the loss of easy access to British workers has become another challenge for employers already dealing with housing shortages, rising living costs and increasing competition for skilled staff.
Summer Forecast Remains Positive
Industry forecasts suggest hotel occupancy levels could reach between 84 and 86 percent during the peak season, indicating that demand for Lanzarote holidays remains strong. Key markets including the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands continue to perform well, although the German market has shown signs of slowing.
A Personal Perspective from a Lanzarote Business Owner
As a business owner in Lanzarote, I understand first-hand the challenges many employers are facing when it comes to staffing.
Running a restaurant means not only providing excellent customer service but also ensuring there are enough team members available to maintain the standards that both residents and tourists expect. Over the last few years, finding and retaining staff has become increasingly difficult, and it remains a challenge that many businesses across the island continue to face on a daily basis.
What often goes unnoticed is the incredible effort being made by hospitality workers who are already in these roles. When businesses are short-staffed, employees frequently take on additional responsibilities, work longer shifts and go the extra mile to ensure customers still receive a positive experience.
Whether they are working in restaurants, bars, hotels, cafés or other tourism-related businesses, these individuals deserve recognition for the dedication and professionalism they show every day. Their hard work helps keep Lanzarote’s tourism industry running smoothly and plays a vital role in maintaining the island’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
A simple thank you, a kind word or a little patience during busy periods can go a long way. I know many hospitality workers would genuinely appreciate that recognition for the effort they put in.
The Search for Long-Term Solutions
Business leaders believe solving the staff shortage will require more than simply advertising vacancies.
Improving access to affordable housing, investing in training programmes, encouraging young people to consider tourism careers and enhancing working conditions are all being discussed as part of a long-term strategy.
With tourism remaining the backbone of Lanzarote’s economy, many believe the island’s future success will depend not only on attracting visitors but also on ensuring there are enough workers available to welcome them.
This article contains AI-generated illustrations used for visual and illustrative purposes.
