Record Breaking Tourism Figures for the Canary Islands

The last quarter saw a record number of visitors to the Canary Islands. 42.7 million people from other countries visited during the first 3 months of 2024, up 500,000.

The report of figures comes amidst the debates and protests from the Canary Island locals over the detrimental effects that mass tourism is having on their daily lives.

March saw numbers increase 18.9% Year on Year with 1,543,234 non Spanish nationals visiting the islands., generating a huge 2,335 million euros (an average of 1,507 euros per visitor.

Both the visitor number and average spend hit unprecedented levels.

A breakdown of the previous months visitors was as a follows.

December 2023 1,374,111 Non Spanish Nationals visited the Canary Islands with a turnover of 2,0975.43 million Euros.

January 2024 1,321,100 Non Spanish Nationals visited the Canary Islands with a turnover of 2,006.79 million Euros.

February 2024 1,407,956 Non Spanish Nationals visited the Canary Islands with a turnover of 2,17707 million Euros.

February 2024 1,407,956 Non Spanish Nationals visited the Canary Islands with a turnover of 2,325.39 million Euros.

Despite the record breaking visitor numbers and spends, the average length of stay on the island actually dropped slightly, falling by 4.4%. Increased spends are thought to have been a direct result of inflation and an increase in prices across the board, including hotel costs which rose just under 10% (9.94%). In March the hotels in The Canary Islands were both the most expensive and profitable in all of Spain.

To help control mass tourism in some areas of specific islands the Government of The Canary Islands has also suggested it is open to the idea of considering a charge to end the protected natural areas of the island (not to be confused with a Tourist Tax that visitors to the Balearics might encounter) as these charges would only affect tourists visiting certain areas of the islands.

Despite the record number of visitors local businesses continue to struggle to find staff to recruit. Long term accommodation for local workers remains an issue in terms of availability and pricing.