All-inclusives new report highlights bad conditions, bad money

Tourism Concern report due to be published 24 March – get invited to House of Parliament launch

The launch of Tourism Concern’s All Inclusive Research report will take place on Monday 24th March 2014 at the House of Commons at an event hosted by Steve Reed OBE MP.

The report deals with the impacts of all-inclusive hotels on working conditions and labour rights in Kenya, Tenerife & Barbados

In 2013, Tourism Concern supported by the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) started researching to find out how all-inclusives challenge the rights of hotel workers.

The primary aim was to generate new evidence and understanding about how the all-inclusive holiday model impacts upon pay, working conditions and labour rights of hotel employees in Kenya, Tenerife and Barbados.

The idea is that the evidence will fuel a public debate about improving and protecting the rights of hotel employees, and help in promoting socially equitable, inclusive and sustainable tourism including influencing government and industry policy formation.

Tourism Concern tell us that primary findings include low wages and bad conditions but it is getting a bit better!

Although in many respects workers in all-inclusive hotels are treated in a similar way to those in other types of hotel, there are some areas where they face less favourable working conditions. Amongst respondents a greater number were on short term contracts which offer fewer benefits and less job security. Prolonged contact with guests is more likely in all-inclusives, which can be stressful. Al-inclusive hotel staff also received significantly less in tips.

Staff in all types of hotel are faced with low wages and a range of unfavorable working conditions, from working hours which disrupt home life through to stress and exposure to risk.

Despite these problems, some progress has been made since Tourism Concern’s published research in 2004: ‘Labour standards, social responsibility and tourism’ . This has come about in part as a consequence of collective bargaining, social dialogue and the enforcement of appropriate legislation, including the adoption of international labour standards. Barbados in particular demonstrated a model of social dialogue that appears to have had favourable results and is respected by many of the staff who were interviewed

The launch event is open to open to Friends and Members of Tourism Concern.

However Tourism Concern is seeking donations to help cover the print costs of the report and all donors will also be able to register to attend the event.

Says Tourism Concern "Any amount will help but if you make a donation of £20 HERE or more you get your name included ** in acknowledgements in the report (if you wish) and you will be sent you a copy. Everyone who donates to the cost of the report will also receive an invite to the launch event on the 24th March at the House of Commons*

Valere Tjolle

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