TUI CEO Sebastián Ebel reminded the regional councillor for tourism in the Canary Islands, Jessica de León, at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London on Wednesday that "in difficult times" it is necessary for destinations such as the south of Gran Canaria to be taken into account as "our valuable suppliers" and asked "How can we generate growth in destinations where it is needed and desired?" and he answered himself: "by working on successful strategies for the future. Doing so on the basis of long-lasting relationships" to shape "the future" "together".
Ebel was diplomatic at the meeting with De León, but this message of "working together" has another meaning. After meeting with the Minister of Tourism of the Canary Islands Government, he held a meeting with the Minister of Tourism of Turkey, who is TUI's 'plan B' to de-seasonalize the offer if the people of Las Palmas capital with apartments in Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas continue selling accommodation with Airbnb or Booking.com.
Apartments in Playa del Inglés that work with TUI have faced various problems in recent years, mainly related to maintenance, quality of service and the conditions of the contracts established between the tour operators and the owners of the resorts. One of the main complaints of the owners is that, in many cases, contracts with TUI require significant adjustments to the facilities to meet the agency's standards, which generates additional costs. In addition, the low booking prices offered through TUI, aimed at attracting more tourists, often affect the owners' profit margins.
Another challenge is the lack of flexibility in terms of occupancy and in the renovation of spaces. Some owners have also expressed concern about the wear and tear of the facilities due to the high turnover of tourists, which can negatively affect the image of the apartments and make reviews less favourable. Strong competition and variability in demand for accommodation in Playa del Inglés also intensify these difficulties, leading some resorts to consider the option of managing their reservations independently, without depending on the German wholesaler.
