View Full Version : Are all inclusive hotels ruining Tenerife night life and bar scene?
Does anyone else think that Tenerife hotels and cheap hotel/apartment complexes are ruining the Tenerife bar and pub scene?
After recently finishing working 9 years in a spanish apart/hotel complex the hotel management structure in Tenerife is giving out the cheapest food/quality alcohol giving customers a very bad Tenerife experience.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Jimandsi
05-08-2011, 17:00
I would certainly prefer that the holidaymakers who just want to drink themselves silly every night stay put in their AI hotels or apartment complexes.
There's nothing worse than seeing drunk people making complete fools of themselves in public places.
Not to mention the policing costs etc.
It's just another choice to make. If they're satisfied with that they might return. If not they'll find another place next time.
All inc probably work when there is little else available near to the hotel, or if what is available is pretty naff!
I would certainly prefer that the holidaymakers who just want to drink themselves silly every night stay put in their AI hotels or apartment complexes.
There's nothing worse than seeing drunk people making complete fools of themselves in public places.
Not to mention the policing costs etc.
Nobody would do that in your bar then Jimbo? :nono:
Jimandsi
05-08-2011, 17:12
If they buy their booze in my place then I don't object to them getting drunk, providing they behave themselves.
What I do object to is, people who have had a skinful in their AI or apartment and then coming to my place and spoiling it for others.
Yes I think it is ruining the businesses outside of the AI complex but whenever I say that I'm told that it's creating more work for locals but if that's the case then how come unemployment in Tenerife is up another 1600 people last month?!? Not everybody that goes out for a drink at night gets drunk, some people are qutie happy to have a couple of pints then go back to their complex but why would they go out when they can drink for free and not move off their backsides?!? Even if every person in an AI complex went to their closest bar and bought two pints a night it would be some money in local businesses tills instead of it all going to the hotel.
I was out the other week with my daughter and we got chatting to a woman who was holidaying alone with her three children and one of their friends, all teenagers. She was staying AI as she said she was a single parent and she thought it was the best option for her. However on chatting further she said she may as well have booked the accommodation only because after the first few days the girls were totally fed up with 'doing the same thing' as in staying at the hotel to eat all the time etc. She said they were now eating out all the time so in effect her holiday cost her a lot more. I think AI is ok maybe for a couple on their own or families with smaller children but these teenagers were having none of it.
Tenerife was not built for AI business. Puerto de la Cruz was the first Holiday Destination Hot spot on this island for europeans as early as the late 19th century but the advent of the cheap package holidays in the 1960´s, and the opening of the Reina Sofia Airport in the late 1970´s led the way for the south to become commercialised with a plethora of bars, restaurants and hotels opening their doors to the European masses, which in turn encouraged more to follow. Albeit the demise of the "Blackpool in the Sun" image is of no great loss to those of us who have chosen to live here, let´s not forget, it was those people and those businesses that made Tenerife what it is today. Without them, they might still be planting vines, bananas and sugarcane. Sorry if this hurts the feelings of the local people of the island, but it is the truth. as I see it. Without the German MarK, the British Pound and many other european currencies, this island would still be what it was 40 years ago. Nothing more than a strategically positioned stop over point for the trade ships. This is not the Dominican Republic, Can Cun, Cuba or any other purpose built AI resort with nothing outside their purpose built walls but poor families and ramshackle villages. This is a FANTASTIC Holiday Destination with an infrastructure to match. Thousands of ex-pats from all over have invested their hard earned cash in Cafes, Bars, Restaurants, excursion and travel companies etc., etc., and they have paid taxes for a great many years but they are now being forced to close their doors because the local goverment WILL NOT handle the AI situation. If any of us had known this was going to be the strategy of the Canarian Government let´s say ten years ago, would any of us have opted to come here. I THINK NOT!!!! However, now, they´ve got us here, and they´ve had our dosh, They´ve had a quick re-think of who they want and who they don´t. The Criteria nowadays seems to be who actually has money in their pockets. Not us Brits.....in fact very few Europeans. So what do they do, "They spend a fortune advertising this European Built Paradise to everyone and anyone outside the European Union, where they´ve got loadsa dosh" (not quite sure where all of it has come from) but do they care?? NOT A JOT??? Let´s get rid of all those europeans who have assisted in making Tenerife what it is today and open up the market to what they call a more "Up Market Clientelle". ha ha ha, yeah I´ve seen their upmarket clientelle plying their wares on the beachfront of Los Cristianos and along the sliproad at the top end of Las Americas. (Do they pay taxes on earnings??) I really hope they have their far sighted specs on and really truly appreciate what market they´ve opened this island up to. "Blackpool In the Sun" might not seem that bad in another ten years time. A good friend of mine said the other day that Tenerife is Transitioning at the moment, I however think Tenerife is Transforming into a whole different monster.
For the purposes of avoiding any claims of racialism, sectarianism or any other ism you can think of, Please Note, Some of These comments are a generalisation and should not be taken personally by anyone who has committed themselves to a bonafide business on this island.
I don't think it does any more damage to a bar than say, a new or refurbished bar opening nearby. There's always been competition in one form or another.
If people like the area but their usual hotel has converted to AI and they don't fancy it then they'll find another hotel. People will vote with their feet. If you're offering something they want, they will come.
Hi Wee Jack
What a very informative responce you gave to AI but I personally dont think the expats who put there hard earned cash into a business in Tenerife have anything to worry about as most people are getting wise to the cheap garbage that AI hotels dish out to the public .I have many friends who have tried AI in Tenerife and they all said the same that the food and drink are only good for 1 or 2 days at the most then they have got to go and spend money on good quality food and drink in the resorts you also dont get the very good customer service in AI as you do in local establishments.
Competition is Healthy and I truly believe that. If there´s a row of commercial locals, all offering like for like at competitive prices, all open, and all busy then of course their going to attract more business into that area and people will vote with their feet and chose the ones they prefer. Of course. However having a Monopoly on a very high percentage of tourists visiting the island is a whole different ball game. AI at this level is a MONOPOLY. There´s not a local business or trader on this island who can compete. These Hotels are purchasing their supplies at massively discounted prices that are not available to the general market. The competition element has been removed. People have spent their money before they arrive and it´s the Hotel Monopoly´s that have got it. Now how can this be allowed to happen??
Competition is Healthy and I truly believe that. If there´s a row of commercial locals, all offering like for like at competitive prices, all open, and all busy then of course their going to attract more business into that area and people will vote with their feet and chose the ones they prefer. Of course. However having a Monopoly on a very high percentage of tourists visiting the island is a whole different ball game. AI at this level is a MONOPOLY. There´s not a local business or trader on this island who can compete. These Hotels are purchasing their supplies at massively discounted prices that are not available to the general market. The competition element has been removed. People have spent their money before they arrive and it´s the Hotel Monopoly´s that have got it. Now how can this be allowed to happen??
I just don't see how it can be stopped ... you have always had the various options of Room Only, B&B, Half Board or Full Board ... All Inclusive is just adding the drinks to Full Board
Just how many AI rooms are there expected to be? And then compare that with all the others.
I just don't see how it can be stopped ... you have always had the various options of Room Only, B&B, Half Board or Full Board ... All Inclusive is just adding the drinks to Full Board
Neither do I Doreen. I think it´s gone too far for too long. AI isn´t just adding the drinks to full board, it´s removing the clients from the open market where freedom of choice prevails.
Angusjim
07-08-2011, 12:42
Neither do I Doreen. I think it´s gone too far for too long. AI isn´t just adding the drinks to full board, it´s removing the clients from the open market where freedom of choice prevails.
But clients do have a choice and they are making their choice and going AI why should they care what happens to local businesses they choose what suits them and for every story you get on here about how bad AI is, there will many more who are happy with. Time maybe that the Canarian government came up with some ideas but in fairness they have ( but thats another thread ) one on the go at the moment which they feel will help only time will tell if they are correct
canarianchicken
07-08-2011, 13:16
[QUOTE=Jackie;75628]I was out the other week with my daughter and we got chatting to a woman who was holidaying alone with her three children and one of their friends, all teenagers. She was staying AI as she said she was a single parent and she thought it was the best option for her. However on chatting further she said she may as well have booked the accommodation only because after the first few days the girls were totally fed up with 'doing the same thing' as in staying at the hotel to eat all the time etc. She said they were now eating out all the time so in effect her holiday cost her a lot more. QUOTE]
I worked as Entertainments Managers on All Inclusive complexes for Airtours over a number of years here in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. I have found the above to be true.
I don't believe that it is all inclusive that is killing the bar trade, I have other thoughts on the matter.
1. Bars need to be more imaginitive. Karaoke is not the option for many and yet it is churned out all over the place.
I went out with friends in the South to Las Americas for the first time in years and ended up drinking in a hotel because I couldn't find a bar that wasn't playing over loud music.
2. When it is quiet, many bars cancel their cabaret at the last minute as they don't feel that it is going to be lucrative to have to pay them. The customers who have turned up are going to be disappointed and look elsewhere.
3. Practically all hotels now have entertainment. Not just a 50 euro a night singer, but Illusion acts, Dance acts, Circus style shows etc. The quality of entertainment in hotels has improved immensely and the price of drinks in many hotels has dropped as a result of the current economic crisis.
It is so easy to blame all inclusive, as on the surface it is the glaring problem, however, there is much more to blame for the bars being quiet.
DapaTenerife
07-08-2011, 13:40
I think tenerife has to much to offer,and would not personally recomend all inclusive, but i can understand why families with kids would choose this option
Pink shoes
07-08-2011, 14:00
For my two pennies worth I prefer SC. A choice of eating in or going to a restaurant.
Folk who choose AI are stuck to staying around the hotel and hoping they like the food on offer.
I think it would be good to see more entertainment in the bars than just a singer. NO, I do not MEAN bingo.
We once walked past a girl with line dancing for the customers...we went in and had a few drinks and watched people having a good time. Not dancers ourselves.
I think a couple doing Spanish dancing would draw a crowd?
Ok, I am now on a roll... a few years ago I saw 2 guys practicing twirling bottles and throwing to each other. The bottles did not break in the sand.
Is'nt life about adapting to change, I have'nt worked for some time but when I was at work
most employees were employed on their ability to adapt, just look at the many super market employes's
who have to work as and when required. I managed a betting shop and licensing was required allowing
new outlets if it was shown that there was sufficient demand, in the last few years that has all gone to the wind
with rival companies opening next door to one another. It ain't easy for individuals who have invested in what once was a good living
and they can't expect any help to maintain their living, there is a demand for AI and at the end of the day it is the public as customers who will call the shots.
Jackie Buyer
07-08-2011, 14:31
Having holidayed in Tenerife many times over the years with my late Husband, I can honestly say that a big part of our holiday was looking for a nice restaurant for dinner & then a bar with good (not karioke) entertainment. What we found this last couple of years were bars were really quiet, & then the advertised entertainment cancelled at the last minute which is really really annoying. I know its difficult times but bar owners need to remember you need to speculate to accumulate. Its still the best holiday destination in the world!
captain jack sparrow
07-08-2011, 15:06
Ive been to all inc in dom republic and I think it works there mainly due to the fact you are in a large complex which is often guarded and is said to be unsafe to wander the streets of the towns there, So going out to bars and restaurants at night is not recommended.
In tenerife, i think all inclusive is a business decision to attract more custom, When you have a vast amount of hotels and apartments fighting for customers be it B + B, S/C, half board and full board, the choice where to go is overwhelming so you must evolve and try something different, especially in this financial climate, What's the figures ? 1 or 2% of accommodation in tenerife all inclusive ? cant be much more, It obviously has been a smart decision if it is working, it could easily of gone the other way. bums on seats as they say, better for the economy to have people all inc in tenerife than self catering in majorca.
Jimandsi
07-08-2011, 15:50
[QUOTE=Jackie;75628]I was out the other week with my daughter and we got chatting to a woman who was holidaying alone with her three children and one of their friends, all teenagers. She was staying AI as she said she was a single parent and she thought it was the best option for her. However on chatting further she said she may as well have booked the accommodation only because after the first few days the girls were totally fed up with 'doing the same thing' as in staying at the hotel to eat all the time etc. She said they were now eating out all the time so in effect her holiday cost her a lot more. QUOTE]
I worked as Entertainments Managers on All Inclusive complexes for Airtours over a number of years here in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. I have found the above to be true.
I don't believe that it is all inclusive that is killing the bar trade, I have other thoughts on the matter.
1. Bars need to be more imaginitive. Karaoke is not the option for many and yet it is churned out all over the place.
I went out with friends in the South to Las Americas for the first time in years and ended up drinking in a hotel because I couldn't find a bar that wasn't playing over loud music.
2. When it is quiet, many bars cancel their cabaret at the last minute as they don't feel that it is going to be lucrative to have to pay them. The customers who have turned up are going to be disappointed and look elsewhere.
3. Practically all hotels now have entertainment. Not just a 50 euro a night singer, but Illusion acts, Dance acts, Circus style shows etc. The quality of entertainment in hotels has improved immensely and the price of drinks in many hotels has dropped as a result of the current economic crisis.
It is so easy to blame all inclusive, as on the surface it is the glaring problem, however, there is much more to blame for the bars being quiet.
Spot on CC.
It's about time some of these failing bar owners took their blinkers off and looked around......
If you are not getting "bums on seats" then please don't just blame the AI just up the road - look closer to home.
A lot of your customers go on holiday to get away from the telly - try switching yours off for a few hours.
Bingo died a death in the sixties.
As did crappyoke.
Are your furnishings comfortable and toilets clean ?
Are you drinks priced at the right level ?
Can and do your bar staff / waiters smile ?
Is there ANYTHING ELSE you can do to tempt your customers to come back tomorrow night ?
for as many that dont like karaoke/bingo/tv theres the same amount of people that do like these things.a bar needs to be as varied as possible,so never rule anything out.if a group of 40 came askin me for bingo everynight for a week should i say no?
caroletenerife
07-08-2011, 17:24
Ive been to all inc in dom republic and I think it works there mainly due to the fact you are in a large complex which is often guarded and is said to be unsafe to wander the streets of the towns there, So going out to bars and restaurants at night is not recommended.
In tenerife, i think all inclusive is a business decision to attract more custom, When you have a vast amount of hotels and apartments fighting for customers be it B + B, S/C, half board and full board, the choice where to go is overwhelming so you must evolve and try something different, especially in this financial climate, What's the figures ? 1 or 2% of accommodation in tenerife all inclusive ? cant be much more, It obviously has been a smart decision if it is working, it could easily of gone the other way. bums on seats as they say, better for the economy to have people all inc in tenerife than self catering in majorca.
Did AI in Egypt, the food was amazing and service out of this world, we were told not to go outside, but chose to ignore it. Im glad we did, the egyptians were great, i always booked excursion outside hotel because i think you should help the local economy and not the hotel chain. We got alot more out of them because the little man always had 'a brother' who did every excursion you could think of. Example, hotel put on a big boat to take people dolphin watching, they went to same area as us except we got a little boat to ourselves, were able to swim and feed them and we were told to tell the guide when WE wanted to leave..there was no timetable.. If you tip at the beginning they treat you like royalty, i love Egypt and the people
Jackie Buyer
07-08-2011, 18:05
[QUOTE=canarianchicken;76429]
Spot on CC.
It's about time some of these failing bar owners took their blinkers off and looked around......
If you are not getting "bums on seats" then please don't just blame the AI just up the road - look closer to home.
A lot of your customers go on holiday to get away from the telly - try switching yours off for a few hours.
Bingo died a death in the sixties.
As did crappyoke.
Are your furnishings comfortable and toilets clean ?
Are you drinks priced at the right level ?
Can and do your bar staff / waiters smile ?
Is there ANYTHING ELSE you can do to tempt your customers to come back tomorrow night ?
Jimandsi, if you have a pub in Tenerife, what's the name & where is it, I'll give it a try next time I'm over - you seem to know what customers want
caroletenerife
07-08-2011, 18:14
for as many that dont like karaoke/bingo/tv theres the same amount of people that do like these things.a bar needs to be as varied as possible,so never rule anything out.if a group of 40 came askin me for bingo everynight for a week should i say no?
No,you say wait there till i get the pens :D
[QUOTE=Jimandsi;76517]
Jimandsi, if you have a pub in Tenerife, what's the name & where is it, I'll give it a try next time I'm over - you seem to know what customers want
:crylaughing::crylaughing::crylaughing: :liar:
canarianchicken
07-08-2011, 18:41
for as many that dont like karaoke/bingo/tv theres the same amount of people that do like these things.a bar needs to be as varied as possible,so never rule anything out.if a group of 40 came askin me for bingo everynight for a week should i say no?
Yes, you should say no as Bingo is illegal in pubs, as are charity collections without a certified card carrying member of the charity there, Charity boxes on bartops, Raffles and any games involving playing cards. These contravene Spanish Gaming rules and the fines are hefty if you are caught.
We are over for 22 days and nights and we eat out every night (my wife needs a break too) and we go to different bars that have entertainment and spend our hard earned euro that way. Then i know that the wee bars and eating houses get a wee turn and stay open to next year.
Jimandsi
07-08-2011, 19:18
[QUOTE=Jimandsi;76517]
Jimandsi, if you have a pub in Tenerife, what's the name & where is it, I'll give it a try next time I'm over - you seem to know what customers want
Thank you JB.
No, I don't have a pub in Tenerife, but have invested in an up-market cafe/bar on the Island.
The manager is quite switched on and we are lucky enough to have a good mix of both regulars and visitors who enjoy our facilities.
Yes, you should say no as Bingo is illegal in pubs, as are charity collections without a certified card carrying member of the charity there, Charity boxes on bartops, Raffles and any games involving playing cards. These contravene Spanish Gaming rules and the fines are hefty if you are caught.so if i play bingo for toffee im breaking the law?
I have just returned from the island (I went self catering) and I can honestly say that I have never seen so many people wearing AI wristbands drinking in the bars and eating in the restaurants. That is not a good advert for AI in Tenerife, think I'll stick to SC.
(I couldn't help overhearing a few conversations amongst these people and most were extremely unhappy with their AI hotel.)
Does anyone else think that Tenerife hotels and cheap hotel/apartment complexes are ruining the Tenerife bar and pub scene?
After recently finishing working 9 years in a spanish apart/hotel complex the hotel management structure in Tenerife is giving out the cheapest food/quality alcohol giving customers a very bad Tenerife experience.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
This question is not about individual preferences. This question was posted by someone who obviously "Likes" the Tenerife night life and bar scenes as was. to get back to the question. The answer for me is "YES, ABSOLUTELY. We listen to loads of complaints about the A1 resorts that are trying to compete on the market place but failing miserably. But that doesn´t matter because today and tomorrow and the next day the A1 resorts have got them. It doesn´t matter that you or they don´t like it or aren´t enjoying it, you or they have signed up for it and by god you´re going to make the best of it. Meantime, you´re having a rotten time and all the small businesses you used to visit are going down the tubes. This is not a "Get At" the tourists, all they want is a nice holiday at a reasonable price!!!! My god, some of them work all year for this one shot at Paradise. This is a "Get At" the beaurocratic idiots that allowed this to happen in the first place. The tourists, in the past, have always been able to have a nice time, whilst using the local small businesses. But someone. in their wisdom, decided they could make it better, and they haven´t!!! Loads of folks are being peed off at the standards their receiving. In my view "You pay 2 star prices, you receive 2 star service. Don´t complain!!! Nobody and I mean Nobody gets nothing for Nothing in this world Why would you think you can pay 200 GBP for a week A1 on this island and think you´re going to have fantastic accommodation and food and drink!!!!. The tourists are being ripped off. Their being sold crap accommodation, with crap food and crap service at a price a weekend in Blackpool wouldn´t cover. They come to tenerife expecting glorious sunshine, sun, sand and sea, and a holiday to remember and Unfortunately, their getting second grade grub in second grade hotels. This is what is happening "NOW" and all the complaining in the world still won´t help the small businessman "NOW". So by the time you´ve all realised that crap is crap a lot of the things you really liked about Tenerife are going to be GONE GONE GONE!!!.
I have lived and worked on this island for a little over ten years now and I´m going to be honest. If I had the choice to do a five star LUXURY All Inclusive Holiday, It most certainly would not be in Tenerife. Take the island for what it is and stop trying to make it, something its not! This island will never reach the standards of Sharm el Sheikh, or Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The country just doesn´t have the money to spend !!!! Enjoy Tenerife for what it is, A suntrap no more than 4 hours from everywhere in Europe!!!
junglejim
08-08-2011, 06:43
Yes, you should say no as Bingo is illegal in pubs, as are charity collections without a certified card carrying member of the charity there, Charity boxes on bartops, Raffles and any games involving playing cards. These contravene Spanish Gaming rules and the fines are hefty if you are caught.
I remember seeing a group of Asian women who regularly used to book their meal and table in Chinese next to Carabelas Complex then pull out Bingo gear and put money into a kitty and play all night !
To keep on topic - quality AI is fine but not cheap - seeing some of the wrist-band brigade out and about who have the bottom end of market really are disheartened by their experiences and puts them off returning to Tenerife .
stringfellas
08-08-2011, 08:24
Why don't the ex-pats get together and vote in a British Mayor at the next election. There are so many British residents living here who I assume could obtain voting rights here in Tenerife. Is it feasible has anyone looked at the possibility of doing this.
Ecky Thump
08-08-2011, 09:38
Why don't the ex-pats get together and vote in a British Mayor at the next election. There are so many British residents living here who I assume could obtain voting rights here in Tenerife. Is it feasible has anyone looked at the possibility of doing this.
Oh Yes! what a great idea....make Tenerife a suburb of Britain and lose Tenerife its individuality.:(
Why don't the ex-pats get together and vote in a British Mayor at the next election. There are so many British residents living here who I assume could obtain voting rights here in Tenerife. Is it feasible has anyone looked at the possibility of doing this.
Have you seen how we treat the admin team ? Have you seen how we treat presidents of communities?
Who'd want the thankless task of mayor ??
bonitatime
08-08-2011, 09:44
This question is not about individual preferences. This question was posted by someone who obviously "Likes" the Tenerife night life and bar scenes as was. to get back to the question. The answer for me is "YES, ABSOLUTELY. We listen to loads of complaints about the A1 resorts that are trying to compete on the market place but failing miserably. But that doesn´t matter because today and tomorrow and the next day the A1 resorts have got them. It doesn´t matter that you or they don´t like it or aren´t enjoying it, you or they have signed up for it and by god you´re going to make the best of it. Meantime, you´re having a rotten time and all the small businesses you used to visit are going down the tubes. This is not a "Get At" the tourists, all they want is a nice holiday at a reasonable price!!!! My god, some of them work all year for this one shot at Paradise. This is a "Get At" the beaurocratic idiots that allowed this to happen in the first place. The tourists, in the past, have always been able to have a nice time, whilst using the local small businesses. But someone. in their wisdom, decided they could make it better, and they haven´t!!! Loads of folks are being peed off at the standards their receiving. In my view "You pay 2 star prices, you receive 2 star service. Don´t complain!!! Nobody and I mean Nobody gets nothing for Nothing in this world Why would you think you can pay 200 GBP for a week A1 on this island and think you´re going to have fantastic accommodation and food and drink!!!!. The tourists are being ripped off. Their being sold crap accommodation, with crap food and crap service at a price a weekend in Blackpool wouldn´t cover. They come to tenerife expecting glorious sunshine, sun, sand and sea, and a holiday to remember and Unfortunately, their getting second grade grub in second grade hotels. This is what is happening "NOW" and all the complaining in the world still won´t help the small businessman "NOW". So by the time you´ve all realised that crap is crap a lot of the things you really liked about Tenerife are going to be GONE GONE GONE!!!.
Not sure what sort of police state you think we live in but hotels have the right to offer any sort of service they want. The difficulty is thet AI is what the agencies are asking for and if you have a hotel that needs filling and all you get offers for is AI then that is what you provide. The agency then sc***S you on the price and you downgrade what you are providing. This is europe with its costs not a third world counrty where social security etc is not paid or perhaps even offered. When you try to compare here with Egypt where 50% of the population still live on under a dollar a day it is inherently unfair.
Why don't the ex-pats get together and vote in a British Mayor at the next election. There are so many British residents living here who I assume could obtain voting rights here in Tenerife. Is it feasible has anyone looked at the possibility of doing this.
Because fortunately there aren't enough living here and they are too bone idle to go out and register to vote let alone actually go and vote on the right day.
What I can't get over is the arogance of this statement from a national whose country is rioting right now.
Several reasons.
There are at least 5, arguably 6 "tourist counties" just in the South
Brit ex-Pats make up less than 15% of the resident population.
There is a Brit on one of the counties out west, who has tourism as one of his responsibilities, has this helped?? - erm, not really!!
There are several different issues here though. From the Government's point of view, they couldn't care less about the plight of Brit bars full stop. If the truth be told they would prefer to see less of them - if not none. Why should they, they have their own people to deal with, 30% of which are officially unemployed.
The Government here have encouraged 5 star accomodation and have been trying to push the island in that direction for many years, one of the reasons they are trying to clamp down on illegal letting of apartments in residential blocks. AI is effectively just an extension of 5 star accomodation.
The error made was that as AI was developing, they let it do so without any consideration whatsoever for the effect on local economies. They should have introduced a (small) per-bed/per-week tax on AI so as to generate income for the local infra-structure - maintenance of street lighting, beaches, pavements and so on.
It is very true that AI actually provides pretty poor accomodation, poor food and so on, and it is a shame the tourist industry has developed in this direction. I fear it too late for the authorities to change things now, what will happen in the future is that tourists will vote with their feet and go elsewhere.
canarianchicken
08-08-2011, 10:33
so if i play bingo for toffee im breaking the law?
Absolutely. The gaming laws in Spain are very tight and clear. Luckily for charities and bar owners, the policing of the gaming laws is on the slack side, however I know fellow bar owners who have had fines for running raffles and playing bingo. It is a chance you take.
When I had my bar, we were advised by our lawyer to stop playing "Play your cards right" as the game involved the use of playing cards and would be illegal.
Absolutely. The gaming laws in Spain are very tight and clear. Luckily for charities and bar owners, the policing of the gaming laws is on the slack side, however I know fellow bar owners who have had fines for running raffles and playing bingo. It is a chance you take.
When I had my bar, we were advised by our lawyer to stop playing "Play your cards right" as the game involved the use of playing cards and would be illegal.100 kilo of toffee for sale,open to offers
canarianchicken
08-08-2011, 10:42
If it's Thorntons ....... Yum! You have a customer.
As I say, they don't police it very well, the idea is to be discreet about it, but I think you might find it rather difficult to be discreet about 100 kilos of Toffee! :laugh:
100 kilo of toffee for sale,open to offers
Those two fat ladies will have it.....
Not sure what sort of police state you think we live in but hotels have the right to offer any sort of service they want. The difficulty is thet AI is what the agencies are asking for and if you have a hotel that needs filling and all you get offers for is AI then that is what you provide. The agency then sc***S you on the price and you downgrade what you are providing. This is europe with its costs not a third world counrty where social security etc is not paid or perhaps even offered. When you try to compare here with Egypt where 50% of the population still live on under a dollar a day it is inherently unfair.
Don´t know where the "Police State" bit came from but understand what you´re saying about the hotels "Having The Right To Choose". What about the rest of us, cos we seem to have lost that right! The comparison to Egypt was on the AI basis of what they provide not on the ecconomic standing of the country. I´m not that clever.
Because fortunately there aren't enough living here and they are too bone idle to go out and register to vote let alone actually go and vote on the right day.
What I can't get over is the arogance of this statement from a national whose country is rioting right now.
No Arrogance intended. I work, I register and vote, My country´s not rioting. You must be talking about England. (answered very much tongue in cheek), Which by the way has absolutely nothing to do with the point in question.
jogger321
08-08-2011, 18:45
The Euro created the monster of the AI in Tenerife
Without a demand for AI there would be none simple eh?
It's not for me but if I was Mr and Mrs Youngcouple with three soft drink and ice cream devouring kids I would go AI as I would be dreading the £25 a pop visit to the bars
The Spanish were happy with the phoney wealth the EURO it appeared to create and low interest rates which the banks to lend and resulted in the property boom. Unfortunately its pay back time now.
It is obvious to everyone apart from the politicians that the euro will have to go in its current form and probably a two tier currency in place which will allow Spain to devalue
Incidentally whilst all the expats seem to think that all AI hotels in Tenerife serve garbage food and drink this is simply not true although this might fit in with their agenda.
I'm not naming but any of the hotels but a 5 minute search on Trip Advisor will show there are many folk happy with the food and drink served at their AI hotels.
As you probably gathered i'm not a fan or in fact the EU in its current formation, but I must say its pretty impressive that in less than 20 years of obtaining their new powers on fiscal policy , currency and interest rates they have managed to oversee the destruction in the economies and effective bankrupcy of many of their member states
Still they all got to vote on it...oh sorry forgot ,they didn't did they! :)
Jimandsi
08-08-2011, 22:48
Why don't the ex-pats get together and vote in a British Mayor at the next election. There are so many British residents living here who I assume could obtain voting rights here in Tenerife. Is it feasible has anyone looked at the possibility of doing this.
Probably because they have to be legal residents to get a vote !
canarianchicken
09-08-2011, 02:26
Why do so many threads have to end up in a game of oneupmanship. I vote as do many of my friends.
Where are we going with this thread, it seems to gone way off topic!?
Added after 35 minutes:
NWhat I can't get over is the arogance of this statement from a national whose country is rioting right now.
Spain was rioting only a few weeks ago .... remember!?
Come on, don't use cheap punches to add to your point.
You were doing well enough without them.
Worldwalker
11-08-2011, 12:54
Like somebody wrote at the beginning i also think that people who only want to get drunk should stay in AI-Hotels. But sure AI-hotels are competition for the restaurants and bars. But i don't think, that the hotels will ruin Tenerife´s night life and bar scene. Because there are a lot of people prefering to go out. So don't worry ;)
Sundowner
16-08-2011, 10:32
Looks like more A.I. on the way.....................http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2026447/Boom-inclusive-holiday-deal-families-try-limit-spend.html
had a pub full of all incs last night,great night had by all.
had a pub full of all incs last night,great night had by all.
Exactly,the good restaurants and pubs are still full to bursting.The rubbish,often dirty,over priced places are empty and should continue to be empty!! AI can be blamed for some problems but in general it's low standards that cause empty bars and restaurants.
The real issue with AI is that until recently there has been little understanding, or at least recognition, on its effect on local business, but there was a report recently issued by the equivilent of the Federation of Small Businesses which concluded that, amongst its members on average, AI has reduced tourists spends in bars, restaurants, car hire and excursions by 34%
Now, whilst the report may well need to be scrutinised for accuracy, and whilst some businesses might prefer to blame AI rather than looking closer to home, there is no doubt AI does have an effect and in some areas a serious one at that.
I'm not sure how powerful the Federation is, particularly in relation to the amount of influence it might have upon Government, but past experience would suggest that powerful lobbying of Government can pay off - the Ashhotel involvement in the clamp-down of holiday letting of residential accomodation being the prime example.
Whilst I cannot see a reduction in the number of AI beds and hotels ever being implimented because of the clear popularity of the industry, I can see the day when some form of "per-head" or "per-bed" tax being implimented to compensate for the drop in local spending. Provided the monies raised were directed toward maintanance and improvement of local infrastructure so that when AI guests venture outside they are pleasantly surprised by what they find (rather than their feet sticking to pavements and the smell of sewage) I would have thought this a good thing.
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