Tourism Growth Remains “Skyrocketing” in the Archipelago

Canary Islands receive 10.5 million international passengers up to August, a 4.9 % rise

Canary Islands welcomed a total of 10.5 million international passengers up to August, 4.9 % more than the same period last year, representing 13.9 % of the market share, according to data released Thursday by Turespaña.

Overall Figures

• Low‑cost carriers led the market with 6.4 million passengers in the first eight months, a 7.7 % increase.
• Traditional airlines contributed 4 million passengers, up 0.7 %.
• In August alone, the islands received 1.2 million international passengers, a 4.5 % rise.

By Airport

• Gran Canaria Airport topped the list with 1.4 million passengers.
• Tenerife South Airport followed with 1.3 million (+1.2 %).

National Context

• Spain surpassed 75 million international air passengers by August, a 5.9 % growth year‑on‑year.
• In August, the country recorded 11.7 million passengers, up 5.4 %.

Diversifying Source Markets

While traditional source markets such as the United Kingdom and Germany remain dominant, the data show a notable diversification:

• China, South Korea, and Japan are recovering, contributing to a stronger Asian presence.
• Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia also posted significant increases.

Main Source Markets

• United Kingdom: 2.7 million passengers (23.2 % of Spain’s total arrivals), +3.9 % YoY.

  • Balearic Islands captured 27.4 % of British arrivals, Canary Islands 20.7 %.

• Germany: 1.6 million passengers in August (13.3 % of total), +1.8 %.

  • Balearic Islands received 46.5 % of German arrivals; all other autonomous communities grew except Madrid.

• Italy: 1.2 million passengers (10.4 % of August flow), +6.8 %.

  • Community of Madrid and Catalonia together accounted for 52.3 % of Italian arrivals.

• France: 7.1 % of total passengers in August, ‑0.7 % YoY, mainly affecting Andalusia, Galicia, and Aragon.

  • Balearic Islands and Catalonia captured 47.5 % of French arrivals; the Balearics added 12,277 extra international passengers versus last August.

• Netherlands: 4.3 % of total, +6.1 %.

  • Primary destinations were Catalonia (≈20.2 %) and the Valencian Community (≈19 %).
  • All regions improved except Galicia and Asturias, with Andalusia seeing a 14 % surge.

Regional Highlights

• The Valencian Community grew almost 10 %, the strongest increase among the six major autonomous communities (Madrid, Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Andalusia, Valencia), which together captured 97 % of total arrivals.
• Balearic Islands recorded the most modest growth at 2.8 %.

Airport Traffic

• Adolfo Suárez Madrid‑Barajas led August arrivals with 2.3 million passengers (+5.2 %).
• Barcelona Airport followed with 2.1 million (+7 %).
• Palma de Mallorca Airport handled 1.8 million arrivals, up 3 % YoY.
• Alicante Airport posted the highest year‑on‑year increase, +10 % compared with August last year.

These figures underscore a robust and increasingly diversified tourism recovery across the Canary Islands and the broader Spanish market.