New data for the Canary Islands confirms the tourism sector’s positive trajectory. Between June and September, air capacity to the Archipelago from major international markets is expected to increase by 41.39% compared to the same period last year and 7.7% compared to 2019, which was a record year. These figures, described as “historic” by Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism Héctor Gómez, highlight the strength of tourism in the Canary Islands despite the challenges faced during the pandemic. The increase in the number of airlines operating in Canary Islands airports, from 47 in 2019 to 49 in 2022 and now 50 in 2023, further emphasizes the positive trend.
The United Kingdom, as the main market, experienced a 45% increase in outbound travel to the Canary Islands, followed closely by Ireland with a growth of 51.8%. Germany, the third-largest market, also saw a significant increase of 37.2% compared to the previous year. When comparing the figures to 2019, there is a strong consolidation of the Anglo-Saxon markets, with the United Kingdom expanding by 51.1% and Ireland by 14.2%.
Notably, the new connectivity between the Canary Islands and the United States, established in 2022, has been a highlight. The commitment of the local government is to further improve connectivity with distant markets, as stated by the Minister from Tenerife. These positive developments bode well for the rest of the year, and it is anticipated that arrivals and spending will surpass pre-pandemic levels once again.
