Canary Islands Hotels Face 2033 Deadline for Staff Safety Upgrades

New updates to the Canary Islands Tourism Management Law require hotels to upgrade their facilities by 2033 to better protect staff. The regulations mandate the use of height-adjustable beds and motorized transport systems—a major challenge for the industry, as only 12% of hotels currently have adjustable furniture and just 6% use electric cleaning carts.

However, the Tenerife-based chain Spring Hotels is ahead of the curve. Rather than waiting for the legal deadline, the company began prioritizing occupational health nearly 20 years ago. Between 2006 and 2010, they replaced all beds in their rooms with pneumatically operated, height-adjustable models to reduce lumbar strain on staff.

The company has also prioritized ergonomics in its daily operations. Almost all room attendants now use electric carts, a standard already fully implemented at the Arona Gran Hotel and Hotel Vulcano. The group is currently investing to bring their recently acquired Mare Nostrum complex up to the same standard.

A key part of this strategy is supporting local innovation. The chain uses "Carbot2" devices, developed by the Canary Islands firm Trend Robotics. These units can carry up to 160 kilograms, removing the need for staff to manually drag heavy loads. CEO Miguel Villarroya noted that this choice reflects a commitment to both technological innovation and the local economy.

In addition to new equipment, the company uses the "STIQK" protocol, a work method that redefines cleaning tasks based on ergonomic principles. This system provides staff with specific tools, posture guidelines, and techniques to prevent long-term injuries. By taking this approach, Spring Hotels aims to prove that the long-term success of a tourist destination depends on protecting its workers—a strategy that, while costly upfront, moves away from the short-term thinking that has long dominated the sector.