German tourism drops 6% this summer in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura tourism attributes the decline to fleet renewal towards lower‑CO₂‑emission aircraft
The 2026 ITB Berlin fair closed today “with a clear commitment to sustainability values that highlights the importance of local habitat‑conservation policies at the destination. This commitment is being materialised through the complete renewal of its aircraft fleet to reduce CO₂ emissions and aligns with other initiatives developed in Fuerteventura or currently under discussion,” the tourism board explained in a press release.
Sustainable Tourism Leadership
Marlene Figueroa, Tourism Councillor of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, said:
“The German tourism sector is now leading the shift toward more sustainable tourism, creating a favourable scenario to implement a tourism eco‑tax in Fuerteventura with a concrete purpose: to finance environmental conservation and ongoing sustainability education.”
“The tourism eco‑tax is a financing tool, not a generic revenue‑raising measure. It is a purpose‑driven instrument to protect what makes us unique as a destination and to preserve the high quality of life and the economic and social progress of Fuerteventura.”
Temporary Capacity Cuts by German Airlines
German airlines have announced a temporary reduction in seat availability for all destinations—‑6 % for Fuerteventura this summer and ‑8.6 % for the Canary Islands—“while they complete the renewal of their aircraft fleet.”
“Once this process is finished, German airlines will resume full operations with aircraft that meet European CO₂‑emission standards. This added value can be leveraged by destinations through measures such as an eco‑tax, reinforcing their image as sustainable destinations,” the Cabildo’s statement added.
Delegation Activities at ITB Berlin
On the final day of the ITB, a delegation led by the Tourism Board, supported on‑site by the municipalities of La Oliva and Pájara and by business representatives with interests on the island, continued its agenda. Meetings were held with international tour operators including:
- Naomi van Hagen (Dutch travel blogger and content creator linked to Travander)
- Fly Edelweiss
- Travel Diaries
- TLVG Tourismus Lifestyle
In the days preceding the fair, the Majorero delegation conducted professional encounters with:
Jet2.com, Jet2holidays, Granicus, Thalasso Nº 1, Itaka, Minube, eDreams, Travel Marketing, LegendsTour, Expedia Group, Viajes All Sun, TUI Group, Travel Zoo, FVW Medien, AnexTour, Holiday Check, as well as participation in the Canarias EU‑prime promo event and attendance at the Regenerative Tourism Commission of the Canary Islands Government organized by Promotur.
The Importance of the German Market
Together with the United Kingdom, Germany remains a cornerstone market for both the Canary Islands and Fuerteventura. In 2025, Fuerteventura welcomed 784,752 German passengers. Regular flights still operate from Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich and Cologne.