Canary Islands domestic tourism.
The Canary Islands has suffered more than most places during the worldwide COVID 19 crisis. The Islands are very dependent on tourism. International tourism is the most important revenue generator. This is followed by Spanish mainland tourists.
Just like all other places, the Canary Islands also has a domestic tourist market.
Staycation has been one of the big buzzwords of 2020. Many people who normally like to go abroad each year have been forced to holiday at home this year. It has given many of us a chance to rediscover our own countries.
So did the local population of the Canary Islands take the opportunity to rediscover their islands?
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
Canary Islands residents staying in tourist accommodation Jan to Sept 2020.
The Canary Islands 562,299. Down 59.9% v same time 2019.
Gran Canaria 238,979. Down 61.6% v same time 2019.
Tenerife 168,387. Down 59.4% v same time 2019.
Fuerteventura 50,035. Down 59.6% v same time 2019.
Lanzarote 44,822. Down 57.2% v same time 2019.
La Gomera 27,802. Down 59.8% v same time 2019.
La Palma 17,730. Down 67.7% v same time 2019.
El Hierro 2,400. Down 81.1% v same time 2019.
These numbers include residents staying in tourist accommodation on their own island. Gran Canaria was the most popular island for residents to stay in tourist accommodation. Interestingly La Gomera had a higher number than the larger island of La Palma.
It is worth noting that all tourist accommodation was in lockdown for over two months. A look at September might give us a clearer picture.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
Canary Islands residents staying in tourist accommodation Sept 2020.
The Canary Islands 105,429. Down 36.9% v Sept 2019.
Gran Canaria 44,593. Down 41.5% v Sept 2019.
Tenerife 32,294. Down 25.% v Sept 2019.
Fuerteventura 12,389. Down 26.7% v Sept 2019.
Lanzarote 7,924. Down 34.5% v Sept 2019.
La Gomera 6,120. Down 34.7% v Sept 2019.
La Palma 2,032. Down 68.8% v Sept 2019.
El Hierro 77. Down 97% v Sept 2019.
The September number of residents staying in tourist accommodation down 36.9% is probably a better indicator than the year to date numbers. There was no lockdown in September.
Why are staycations down in the Canary Islands when they have increased in most other areas?
The answer may be simple economics. The economy of the Canary Islands is more dependent on tourism than most countries. A lot of jobs are dependent on tourism. The islands have suffered more economically than a lot of places.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
So how many Canary Islands residents stay on their own island and how many stay on another island.
Gran Canaria Jan to Sept 2020.
166,732 people from Gran Canaria stayed in Gran Canaria accommodation.
35,164 from Tenerife.
13,177 from Fuerteventura.
9,282 from Lanzarote.
9,042 from La Palma.
5,133 from La Gomera.
444 from El Hierro.
70% of all domestic tourist stays in tourist accommodation in Gran Canaria are from Gran Canaria residents.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
Tenerife Jan to Sept 2020.
119,841 people from Tenerife stayed in Tenerife accommodation.
18,203 from La Palma.
17,251 from Gran Canaria.
4,696 from El Hierro.
3,667 from La Gomera.
2,752 from Lanzarote.
1,977 from Fuerteventura.
71% of all domestic tourist stays in tourist accommodation in Tenerife are from Tenerife residents.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
Fuerteventura Jan to Sept 2020.
22,399 people from Fuerteventura stayed in Fuerteventura accommodation.
11,673 from Tenerife.
9,095 from Gran Canaria.
3,625 from La Palma.
2,874 from Lanzarote.
234 La Gomera.
135 from El Hierro.
45% of all domestic tourist stays in tourist accommodation in Fuerteventura are from Fuerteventura residents.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
Lanzarote Jan to Sept 2020.
11,701 people from Lanzarote stayed in Lanzarote accommodation.
17,088 from Gran Canaria.
7,027 from Tenerife.
5,263 from Fuerteventura.
3,693 from La Palma.
37 from La Gomera.
13 from El Hierro.
26% of all domestic tourist stays in tourist accommodation in Lanzarote are from Lanzarote residents.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
La Gomera Jan to Sept 2020.
723 people from La Gomera stayed in La Gomera accommodation.
24,371 from Tenerife.
1,899 from Gran Canaria.
520 from La Palma.
181 from Fuerteventura.
60 from Lanzarote.
48 from El Hierro.
2.63% of all domestic tourist stays in tourist accommodation in La Gomera are from La Gomera residents.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
La Palma Jan to Sept 2020.
5,252 people from La Palma stayed in La Palma accommodation.
6,440 from Tenerife.
3,817 from Gran Canaria.
773 from Fuerteventura.
695 from El Hierro.
392 from Lanzarote.
361 from La Gomera.
30% of all domestic tourist stays in tourist accommodation in La Palma are from La Palma residents.
Canary Islands domestic tourism.
El Hierro Jan to Sept 2020.
113 people from El Hierro stayed in El Hierro accommodation.
1,347 from Tenerife.
471 from La Palma.
437 from Gran Canaria.
32 from La Gomera.
0 from Fuerteventura.
0 from Lanzarote.
The overall majority of Canary Islands residents stay in tourist accommodation on their own Islands. The number is lower for the two smallest islands. This is because they are small and areas can be reached easily and no need to overnight in accommodation.
All tourist stays play an important part in the overall tourist product, but the domestic tourist is not as important as Spanish mainland tourists.
International tourists bring more revenue then Spanish mainland tourists. Why? They travel further, so they tend to stay longer.
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