Our history
Discover our history
The origins of tourism in the Canary Islands
1840 The first European travelers arrive on the islands for health and climate reasons.
1852 The Free Ports Decree opens the Canary Islands to international trade and passenger transit.
1890 The Santa Catalina (Gran Canaria) and Taoro (Tenerife) hotels open, the first major tourist hotels in Spain.
1938 El Pueblo Canario, designed by Néstor and Miguel Fernández de la Torre, reinforces the islands’ cultural identity.
1954 Teide and Caldera de Taburiente National Parks are established, the first protected natural areas.
In the late 50s The islands surpass 50,000 annual visitors: tourism becomes a new economic driver.
The development of mass tourism
1960 Charter flights from Northern Europe begin arriving: mass tourism takes off.
1962–1963 Major tourist hubs emerge in the south: Maspalomas, Playa de las Américas, Puerto del Carmen and Jandía.
1973 The oil crisis temporarily slows growth.
1978 Tenerife South Airport opens, key to the tourism boom.
1980 The second runway at Gran Canaria Airport is inaugurated..
1981 Seven years after Timanfaya, Garajonay National Park is established.
1984 Tourism already accounts for around 25% of the Canary Islands’ GDP and thousands of direct jobs, consolidating itself as the archipelago’s main industry.
Growth and environmental awareness
1987–1990 Citizen movements such as Salvar Veneguera (Gran Canaria) and Salvar El Rincón (Tenerife) succeed in protecting natural areas from urban development.
1991 César Manrique inaugurates the Lago Martiánez (Puerto de la Cruz), a symbol of the balance between art, nature, and tourism.
1992–1995 International campaigns take place in Moscow’s Red Square and the Great Wall of China under the slogan “Canary Islands, Warm Nature.”
1995 The Canary Islands Tourism Planning Law is approved.
In the late 90s Tourism exceeds 30% of regional GDP and more than five million annual visitors.
Consolidation and unified promotion
2001 Tourism Moratorium: expansion is limited and the renovation of hotel infrastructure is prioritised.
2003 Tourism Planning Guidelines reinforce sustainability.
2005 Promotur Turismo de Canarias is created, unifying the archipelago’s tourism promotion.
2005 The Canary Islands attend major international trade fairs for the first time with a joint stand, representing all islands under a single brand.
2008 The new brand Canary Islands – Latitude of Life is launched.
2013 Promotur introduces the Segmentation Strategy, diversifying promotion beyond sun and beach.
2014 All the islands are designated Biosphere Reserves, with 40% of the territory protected.
Sustainability and current challenges
2018 The Canary Islands surpass 15 million tourists; tourism accounts for more than 35% of GDP and over 40% of employment.
2020 The COVID-19 pandemic brings global tourism to a halt; the islands lead the recovery with safe travel measures.
2022 The Canary Islands destination officially joins the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, committing the sector to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030.
2023 La Palma and La Gomera become the first islands to join the unified Canary Islands platform, strengthening joint promotion and public-sector collaboration.
2024 Citizen movements call for a better balance between tourism, housing, and land use.
2025 The Canary Islands maintain their leadership as a winter destination in Europe, with more than 16 million visitors and around 350,000 jobs directly or indirectly linked to the sector.
Satisfaction and tourism experience
The Canary Islands’ tourism offer is characterised by the diversity of its destinations, resources, infrastructure, services, and products.
Survey results show that natural resources, including the climate, are the most highly valued by visitors and form the core of the Canary Islands’ tourism value proposition.
Gastronomic and cultural resources rank second in importance.
75%
Climate
45%
Sea
43%
Accommodation offer
39%
Beaches
35%
Landscapes
35%
Natural environment
27%
Gastronomy
10%
Shopping offer
10%
Trail network
9%
Historical heritage
9%
Cultural offer
8%
Nightlife
A year-round destination
The Canary Islands receive a high volume of tourists, who are distributed fairly evenly throughout the year: no single month accounts for more than 10% of the annual total.
This contrasts with other destinations with similar characteristics, where tourism is concentrated in just a few months, creating strong seasonal peaks. In these cases, up to 92% of tourists arrive between April and October, with more than 32% concentrated in July and August alone.
This more balanced distribution allows the Canary Islands to experience more moderate levels of overcrowding compared to other Mediterranean destinations or even some European cities, where tourism is far more intensive. This characteristic contributes to better management of tourism’s impact and supports a more sustainable experience for both residents and visitors.
Tourism demand shows low seasonality thanks to climate conditions that are ideal for visitors.
This results in a tourism model that operates year-round.
CANARY ISLANDS TOURISM DATA
Tourism is the main source of employment in the Archipelago
Tourism is the main economic driver and source of employment in the Canary Islands, playing a decisive role in the development of the Archipelago. According to the IMPACTUR Canarias 2023 report, the sector generates more than 358,000 jobs, accounting for around 80% of total employment in the autonomous community, consolidating its position as the leading source of jobs.
In addition, its multiplier effect boosts activity across numerous related sectors, reinforcing its strategic role in the islands’ economic and social cohesion.
Key figures
39,4%
of tourism’s contribution to job creation in the archipelago
Direct jobs
-Accommodation -Hospitality -Travel agencies -Car rental
Indirect jobs
-Construction -Energy -Water -Textile industry -Agriculture
Air connectivity
In an island destination such as the Canary Islands, air connectivity is essential for tourism competitiveness. Having a high number of connections with a wide range of markets strengthens the archipelago’s international positioning and ensures efficient access to the destination.
Perception of Canary Islands residents
Public perception of tourism in the Canary Islands is largely positive, recognising its key role in the archipelago’s economic and social development. However, this favourable view coexists with growing awareness of the challenges it brings, particularly in areas such as housing, cost of living, and pressure on services and territory.
In this context, residents are calling for a more balanced and sustainable tourism model, capable of maximising its benefits and strengthening its contribution to overall wellbeing.