An analysis by the manager of 100 Árboles SL, Ulrich Götz Roth, concludes that commissions from international booking platforms withdraw between 3.4 and 4.8 million euros annually from the economy of La Palma.
A detailed analysis of the marketing of tourist accommodations in La Palma has uncovered a silent haemorrhage of money escaping from the island. Between 3.4 and 4.8 million euros a year stop circulating in the local economy due to commissions, discounts, and intermediary models of large international booking platforms.
The study, titled 'Your house. Your price. Your island', has been prepared by Ulrich Götz Roth, manager of 100 Árboles SL and founder of La Palma Travel, with over twenty years of experience in the island's tourism sector. The research combines official data from the Canary Islands Statistics Institute (ISTAC), documented real cases, and his own professional background.
A difference that exceeds 40%
One of the most striking findings is that, in the documented cases, the difference between the initial marketing price and the final amount received by the owner exceeds 40%. That is to say, of every 100 euros paid by the tourist, less than 60 reaches the pocket of the accommodation owner.
Götz Roth explains that many owners know the price at which they advertise their property, but are unaware of how much they actually receive after applying commissions, discounts, promotional programs, and other costs associated with the booking. The gap, he asserts, is larger than most people assume.
The analysis estimates the annual loss for the economy of La Palma to be between 3.4 and 4.8 million euros. An amount that, according to the author, could be reinvested in the island if more direct marketing models were chosen.
A direct impact on small owners
The study not only highlights the problem but also invites owners and tourism managers to reflect on the current model. For the small owner in La Palma, each booking managed through an international platform represents a significant reduction in their income. In an island where tourism is an economic pillar, this capital flight has consequences for local consumption, service hiring, and accommodation maintenance.
Götz Roth argues that the current intermediation system mainly benefits large tech corporations, while the money that could remain on the island to generate jobs and activity is diverted to foreign accounts. The report not only quantifies the loss but also proposes alternatives for owners to regain control over their prices and commissions.
The work, recently presented, has sparked debate among tourism professionals in La Palma. Some see this data as a wake-up call to seek fairer and more local marketing formulas. Others, however, recall the difficulty of forgoing the global reach that platforms offer.
Be that as it may, the figure of nearly five million euros annually that evaporates from the island's economy invites reflection. For the resident of La Palma, each booking made through these channels represents a small drain that, when added up, has a real impact on the island's day-to-day life.
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