Canary Islands Close 2024 with Over 17 Million Tourists

Published on January 22, 2025
Canary IslandsNews from Canary Islands
canary islands tourism

The Canary Islands reached a record-breaking milestone in 2024, welcoming over 17.3 million tourists, a 7.89% increase compared to 2023. This figure includes 15.5 million international visitors, a nearly 10% rise, and 1.85 million domestic tourists, up 2%. Monthly averages show an influx of 120,000 additional visitors compared to the previous year.

The UK remained the largest source of tourism, with 6.3 million British visitors—a 9.4% increase and more than double the German market, which recorded just under 3 million visitors. German arrivals saw a 9.6% uptick, signaling a recovery to pre-pandemic levels. However, Scandinavian tourism showed mixed results, with declines from Denmark and Sweden offset by gains from Norway and Finland.

The islands continued to attract European travelers with their appealing combination of sun, beaches, diverse landscapes, and growing gastronomic culture. However, geopolitical instability in the Middle East diverted tourists from destinations like Egypt and Tunisia to the Canary Islands, particularly during autumn and winter.

Canary Islands hotels also became the most expensive in Spain during the holiday season, surpassing Madrid with an average nightly rate of €343—20% higher than the capital.

Despite consecutive record-breaking years, 2024 was marked by growing discontent among locals. On April 20, over 57,000 Canarians took to the streets under the slogan "Canarias tiene un límite" (The Canary Islands Have a Limit), demanding a shift away from mass tourism. Protesters called for sustainable practices, better wealth distribution, and stronger protection of natural spaces. Key demands included a tourism moratorium, regulation of non-resident housing purchases, and the introduction of an ecotax.

Smaller protests followed in October, highlighting dissatisfaction with the government's lack of action. The debate over balancing economic gains from tourism with sustainable development remains central to the region’s future.

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