Friday, July 11, 2025

Tourism drives the Spanish economy, contributing 12.3% to the GDP and employing millions. Although vital, life at work for Spain’s tourist sector has become bad during the past years, leading to general dissatisfaction. In 2024, the nation witnessed a raft of protests by workers in the principal tourist regions like the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Malaga, and Cadiz. The protests were led by concerns about excessive work hours, precarious employment, and exploitation of workers in the sector.

For decades, Spain’s tourism industry has been a major contributor to economic growth, with around 2.93 million workers employed in the sector. However, the over-reliance on tourism as an economic pillar has led to the creation of a system where workers face seasonal employment, poor pay, and unstable working conditions. The growing dissatisfaction among tourism workers led to the formation of over 50 citizen platforms in 2024, culminating in the formation of the “Ciudades y Pueblos para Vivir” (Cities and Towns for Living) movement, which aimed to highlight the socio-environmental impact of unchecked tourism expansion.

The precariousness of the sector was brought into the spotlight during protests that took place in several tourist-heavy regions. Although tourism was believed to be indispensable for Spain’s economic stability, it became clear that, for many workers, the benefits of the industry were not being shared equitably.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Spain’s tourism sector employs 13.4% of the country’s total workforce, yet the conditions under which these workers operate are far from ideal. The seasonal nature of tourism in Spain means that jobs are unstable, with employment fluctuating according to holiday periods, weather conditions, and special events such as concerts or conferences. This instability in employment results in low wages, especially during off-peak seasons.

The problem is further compounded by the limited access to training in the industry. As Ernest Cañada, coordinator of the Alba Sud think tank, explains, many jobs in the tourism sector require minimal training, allowing businesses to cut costs by offering low wages while still demanding a high level of productivity. With a lack of job continuity and poor working conditions, it is no wonder that many people are turning away from seeking work in the tourism sector, contributing to vacancies that remain unfilled despite the growing demand for labor.

Additionally, the cost of living in tourist-heavy regions has been rising, especially as housing prices soar due to gentrification and the increased pressure from touristification. This, combined with low wages, makes it increasingly difficult for tourism workers to live comfortably, especially in cities like Barcelona, Cadiz, and Madrid.

Another major issue within Spain’s tourism industry is the rise of outsourcing. Many hospitality companies have shifted their labor force to external service companies, which are able to cut costs by offering lower wages and fewer benefits to workers. One of the most affected groups is hotel room cleaners, often referred to as “Las Kellys.”

“Las Kellys” is an informal association of hotel cleaners that was established in 2016 to raise awareness about the conditions faced by workers in the hospitality industry. Hotel room cleaners are among the most vulnerable in the tourism sector, with around 100,000 to 150,000 people employed in this line of work—97% of whom are women. These workers face excessive workloads, low pay, and limited recognition of the physical strain they endure. For many, muscle injuries and stress-related illnesses caused by their work go unrecognized, and they are not afforded the proper healthcare or retirement benefits.

Mar Jiménez, a representative of Las Kellys in Madrid, highlights the significant pay disparity between workers under the cleaning collective agreement and those working under the hospitality collective agreement. In some cases, hotel cleaners are paid up to €500 less than their counterparts, despite performing the same tasks.

This inequality is not limited to pay alone. Workers in the sector are often employed under part-time contracts, which are unpredictable in terms of hours worked, adding further insecurity to their already unstable financial situations. This situation is particularly dire for those working in luxury hotels, where outsourcing companies dominate the labor force.

Cruise ship workers also face a similar set of challenges. According to the 2021 report by Angela Teberga on cruise work, employees in the sector are often subjected to grueling working hours. On average, cruise workers work 11.3 hours a day, seven days a week, with minimal time off. Furthermore, the sector’s use of “flags of convenience” allows it to circumvent stricter labor regulations, resulting in exploitation and unfair working conditions.

The lack of proper enforcement of the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention means that cruise ships are rarely held accountable for their treatment of workers. This lack of oversight makes cruise lines a perfect environment for labor exploitation, where workers face long hours, low wages, and limited job security.

In addition to hotel and cruise workers, tour guides in Spain are also facing worsening working conditions. The rise of free tours, where tourists pay tips instead of a fixed fee, has led to precarious work in the tour guide industry. With little to no regulation in the sector, tour guides often find themselves working for little pay, with no benefits or job security.

Ernest Cañada’s research suggests that the popularity of free tours has resulted in increased exploitation of guides, as the income from tips is often inconsistent and insufficient to support a stable livelihood. This growing trend in the tourism industry only adds to the precariousness faced by workers.

The question arises: Can Spain maintain its status as a top tourist destination while continuing to exploit its workers? As workers and activists like Pilar Cazorla from Las Kellys point out, the quality of tourism should not just be measured by the number of stars on a hotel or the influx of tourists. Instead, it should also consider the working conditions of those who make the tourism experience possible.

In 2021, Las Kellys launched the “Fair Tur” label, which certifies hotels that meet high labor standards, treating their employees with fairness and respect. This initiative aims to shed light on the poor conditions in the industry and encourage tourists to consider the ethical implications of the accommodations they choose.

As Spain’s tourist industry continues to boom, the government and businesses need to put the central question of workers’ rights center stage. There is a greater need for a change of course to the practice of the tourist activity itself—not the mere generating of revenue but the assurance that workers are treated and compensated and have the securities of livelihood. By prioritizing the well-being of workers, Spain can work towards a responsible and sustainable tourist industry for all, not just the privileged few.

References: Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Spain, Economically Active Population Survey (EAPS), Spain’s Tourism Sector Employment Statistics, 2024