The Sunshine island – Tenerife!
Want to work abroad next summer but prefer not to go alone? Then talk to Playaway Tenerife. They’re a company who’ll really take care of you from the moment you make the first call to the last day you work there.
Tenerife is a volcanic island based off the North Western coast of Africa where, surprisingly the language spoken is Spanish. It’s been a popular destination for years, and takes around 4 hours flight time from the UK. In Tenerife you’ll find wall-to-wall sunshine for the whole summer and virtually all winter too but what about the jobs and how much will you pay for an apartment? Well, at Working Abroad Magazine we make it our mission to find out everything there is to know about working at beach resorts so we interviewed the company directors to find out more…
WAM: So, James, Rick and Jonny, what does PLAYAWAY do exactly?
We sell a working holiday package which can last as long as you want it to. We organise groups of between 9-15 people (that we call our guests) to arrive here each week from the beginning of April through till the middle of August, on the basis that they want to work here in Tenerife.
WAM: What service do you offer?
We offer a complete and really personal service which means we have a great relationship with our guests and they trust us. For example, when we receive an enquiry, the person taking the call is the same person that will meet you at the airport and help you during your stay in Tenerife.
Working Holidays on Tenerife – Playaway
Initially we set up a month’s accommodation for our guests and give them an introduction to Tenerife. This involves two nights out visiting and experiencing the atmosphere of all the bars and clubs where the majority of our guests will end up working. We play party and drinking games, and the new group has a lot of fun getting to know each other. On their first full day we have a beach welcome party where we have a quick welcome meeting for everyone giving them all the information they need during their stay. All guests receive a welcome pack with discount cards and useful literature on Tenerife. Guests are given the chance to discuss their requirements during their stay with the Playaway Reps. We then soak up the sun, play some volleyball, go out on pedalos and do some snorkelling. This is for all the new guests and any other Playaway guests that want to get involved. That evening we go for a meal together before heading out for a party night. On day three we sit around the pool with the guests, and fortnightly we organise pool Olympics which is great fun and a real highlight. The earliest we advise people to start working is on day 4 (so they have had a chance to get holiday mode out of their system and let their hair down a bit so to speak).
WAM: What sort of jobs are available there?
The jobs available are mainly in the bars and clubs and include bar work, PR, DJ work, glass collecting, meet and greet, shot-girls and selling photo keyrings. We also get people jobs in restaurants varying from food preparation, waiting tables to Cheffing. We do have other contacts for jobs in telemarketing and sales although these are of limited availability. We have long-standing relationships with many businesses on this island and we help our guests with any legal documentation that is required for work.
WAM: What’s the money like?
The salary depends on the work you do. The majority of guests that work in the bars and clubs can expect to earn 200 euros-plus a week. Some jobs are commission-based, for example, some shot girls earn in excess of 350 euro’s a week.
WAM: What makes Tenerife such a great destination for workers?
The weather is a massive draw for all types of people. Tenerife has on average 300 days of sun a year. For workers, it’s all about the appreciation of your days off as well as working in a lively fun resort. There are many beautiful sites and attractions, the beaches are brilliant with loads of different activities. The food in the Canary Islands is incredible as well as being very reasonably priced.
WAM: What else can you do apart from swim, sunbathe, go clubbing?
Some of Europe’s greatest theme parks are here including Loro Parque as well as the recently opened Siam Park (one of the largest water parks in Europe). You can scuba dive on the island as there are many wrecks and diving sites to be explored. Boat trips where you can see whales and dolphins. We have some incredible championship golf courses, stunning botanical gardens, and the city of Santa Cruz is like a mini Barcelona. You can also go horse-trekking, quad biking and go-karting, there are plenty of water sports too…plenty to keep you occupied on your days off.
WAM: How about the winter?
The winter here is not like anywhere else in Europe. Tenerife has two busy seasons, summer and winter. Although even in the winter you’re still on the beach! In the main resort of PDLA around 70% of the businesses do stay open during the winter because at certain times like half-term, university breaks, Christmas and new year it’s just as busy as the summer.
WAM: OK, so you have sold us! What are your charges?
It’s £69 for a lifetime registration as we do have guests that come back year after year. The accommodation cost is £375 for a month between March 31 and 30 June, and due to the increase of hotel costs between July 7th and August 11th, one month’s accommodation is £425.
WAM: What would you say are the main benefits of working abroad with a company like yours?
Peace of mind. People who have not worked abroad before, never know if it will be for them. We provide a service to our guests to do everything we possibly can. We help them make friends as quickly as possible in a new country, provide them with guaranteed accommodation for a month and set them up with work very quickly if they want it. So many people want to work abroad and book a package holiday for a week or 2 but end up going home because they didn’t find any accommodation, anyone to live with or more importantly a job. We have the experience and knowledge of the resort and provide the guidance necessary for people to do this for just the month or as long as a few years. So, even when their first month’s accommodation runs out, we help them find something suitable to share with others.