Canary Islands tourism.
2020 is going to be one of the most challenging years in the history of tourism in the Canary Islands. COVID 19 has caused havoc all over the world. As tourism is so vital to the Canary Islands the pandemic has hit the Islands more than most areas of the world.
The Canary Islands currently are trying to recover its tourist market in the second half of 2020. it might be worth looking at how far the Islands tourist industry has come over the past 28 years.
The following numbers are based on people arriving by direct flights onto the Canary Islands airports.
Canary Islands tourism 1992/2019
Canary Islands tourism.
In 1992 6,019,161 international tourists visited the Canary Islands. In 2019 that number had grown to 13,261,486. That is a growth of 120%.
The most significant growth happened between 1992 and 2001. Over 10 million international tourists visited the Canary Islands in 2001. That was up 68% v 1992.
The numbers stagnated between 8 and 9 million visitors for the next ten years. The numbers did not hit over 10 million visitors again until 2011.
During the following years, some tourist destinations suffered as fear of terrorism became a key factor for holidaymakers. The Canary Islands benefited as it was seen as one of the safer destinations.
In 2017 international visitors to the Canary Islands hit a record 14,414,978. As other markets recovered visits fell to 13,261,486 in 2019. A decrease of 8% from the peak of 2017.
One interesting fact. Germany was the largest international market in 1992 for the Canary Islands. It has grown 36% over 28 years. The British market number two in 1992 has increased significantly by 172% in 28 years. The UK is now the dominant market accounting for one in every three international visits to the Canary Islands.
The Irish had the most dramatic percentage increase. Up 810% since 1992.
Top 5 international visitors in 2019 and increases over 28 years.
United Kingdom 1992 1,885,421. 2019 5,139,005 +172%.
Germany 1992 2,029, 745. 2019 2,761,612. +36%.
Netherlands 1992 291,128. 2019 594,075 +104%
Ireland 1992 64,321. 2019 585,456 +810%
Sweden 1992 274,946. 2019 483,349 +76%
Tenerife tourism 1992/2019.
In 1992 2,298,327 international international visitors arrived in Tenerife . In 2019 that had increased to 5,032,644. An increase of 118%.
The peak was in 2017 when 5,148,812 visited. In 2019 it dropped from the peak by just over 2%.
Top 5 international visitors in 2019 and increases over 28 years.
United Kingdom 1992 1,055,787 2019 2,253,805 +113%.
Germany 1992 444,589. 2019 808,171. +82%.
Belgium 1992 115,249. 2019 246,528 +113%.
Italy 1992 123,740. 2019 213,178 +72%.
Netherlands 1992 74,442. 2019 182,860 +146%.
Gran Canaria tourism 1992/2019.
In 1992 2,009,740 international international visitors arrived in Gran Canaria. In 2019 that had increased to 3,612,481. An increase of 80%.
The peak was in 2017 when 4,070,607 visited. In 2019 it dropped from the peak by just over 11%.
Top 5 international visitors in 2019 and increases over 28 years.
Germany 1992 729,677. 2019 878,502 +20%.
UK 1992 369,789. 2019 814,722. +120%.
Norway 1992 73,298. 2019 334,388 +356%.
Sweden 1992 152,852. 2019 307,048 +101%.
Netherlands 1992 147,601. 2019 231,325 +57%.
Lanzarote tourism 1992/2019.
In 1992 998,094 international international visitors arrived in Lanzarote. In 2019 that had increased to 2,488,520. An increase of 149%.
The peak was in 2017 when 2,667,122 visited. In 2019 it dropped from the peak by just over 6%.
Top 5 international visitors in 2019 and increases over 28 years.
UK 1992 345,725. 2019 1,380,599 +299%.
Germany 1992 349,700. 2019 309,759. –10%.
Ireland 1992 7,889. 2019 285,716 +3521%.
France 1992 28,938. 2019 115,677 +300%.
Netherlands 1992 40,623. 2019 94,993 +134%.
Fuerteventura tourism 1992/2019.
In 1992 632,006 international international visitors arrived in Fuerteventura. In 2019 that had increased to 1,950,950. An increase of 209%.
The peak was in 2017 when 2,324,499 visited. In 2019 it dropped from the peak by just over 16%.
Top 5 international visitors in 2019 and increases over 28 years.
Germany 1992 440,244. 2019 670,695 +52%.
UK 1992 113,167. 2019 663,131. +486%.
France 1992 1,913. 2019 104,160 +5344%.
Italy 1992 6,236. 2019 93,991 +1407%.
Switzerland 1992 19,938. 2019 60,212 +202%
The nature of the Canary Islands tourism visitor has changed since 1992. The biggest change has been the growth of the UK market. 33% of all international visits in 2019 came from the UK.
That could make the Canary Islands overdependent on the British market in any downturn during COVID 19. Visitors from the UK were down 84% in July 2020 v July 2019.
For more Canary islands info click here.