Tourism as a Solution, Not a Problem: The Canary Islands' Message at FITUR
The Canary Islands government used the opening day of FITUR 2026 to call for a shift in focus for the archipelago’s main industry: less pressure on the territory and more economic and social value per visitor. The Ministry of Tourism and Employment presented record‑breaking revenue figures, labour improvements and new regulatory tools, a message aware of the sector’s overload and viewing tourism as a solution, not a problem.
Record Tourism Amid Social and Territorial Tensions
Canary Islands closed 2025 with historic figures in its flagship industry: more than 18 million tourists and tourism revenue of €23 billion. The regional government stresses that the quantitative success, revealed in the first data released at FITUR in Madrid, comes together with structural actions to address pressure on land, housing access and the need for wealth generated to reach citizens more directly.
The solution, therefore, lies in quality, sustainability and higher per‑visitor spending, to consolidate a model based on added value, according to Tourism and Employment Minister Jéssica de León:
“We are beginning to see the results of government action with tourism as a solution to the problems of the Canarians, not as a problem for the Canarians.”
De León emphasized that the autonomous strategy does not focus on attracting more tourists, but on ensuring that those who already visit spend more in the destination, betting on quality, sustainability and a more balanced distribution of generated wealth.
Territorial, Vacation‑Related and Labour Improvements
During the opening of the FITUR fair, in the Canary Islands pavilion, regional President Fernando Clavijo reiterated that tourism “cannot be measured only by the number of visitors,” but by its real impact on the quality of life of islanders.
“Tourism must be assessed by its contribution to our citizens’ well‑being, not merely by head‑counts.”
Clavijo highlighted the signing of new collective bargaining agreements in the two Canary provinces, granting a 10 % wage increase to the 280 000 employees in the sector, and praised the approval of the Vacation Tourism Law for its positive effect on sector regulation and on improving housing access across the archipelago. He also underscored the government’s commitment to protect the environment by reducing tourist pressure on natural landscapes and promoting a more respectful visitor profile. Through dialogue and institutional collaboration, 2025 saw the implementation of measures to control access to key sites and to charge fees at places such as Teide, Roque Nublo, Masca and Tinajo.
The Numbers: Higher Revenue and Better Working Conditions
Against this backdrop, the government presented the key indicators that validate the new direction. 2025 tourism revenue was €680 million higher than in 2024 and €8.9 billion above pre‑pandemic levels, confirming an increase in per‑visitor spending rather than just visitor volume.
Moreover, the sector closed the year with new collective agreements in both provinces and a 10 % wage rise for roughly 280 000 workers—an achievement the government deems essential for translating tourism growth into direct employment benefits and purchasing power.
Alliance for Regenerative Tourism Commission
In parallel, the Canary Islands government formalised at FITUR the creation of the Commission of the Alliance for Regenerative Tourism, a working group aimed at turning tourism into a lever for environmental and social regeneration of the archipelago.