German Wanderlust Defies Economic Gloom
Neither economic stagnation nor the industrial crisis that has been plaguing Germany for months can dampen the desire to travel to the Canary Islands. Demand from German tourists for a winter getaway in the archipelago has grown by almost 40% compared to last year. This notable increase highlights the enduring strength of the Canaries as a destination within one of its key source markets, even while that market’s economic situation is far from ideal.
Spain’s Standout Performer
According to the market trends report from Turespaña (Spain’s official tourism institute), the Canary Islands are the fastest-growing Spanish destination by a significant margin. They also hold the position of Spain’s second most popular territory by tourist volume, trailing only the Balearic Islands. However, unlike the Canaries, the Balearics are experiencing a drop in demand of over 9%.
An Extraordinary Surge in Demand
While the Canaries have long been the leading winter sun destination for German tourists, the sheer scale of this year’s increase is extraordinary. The jump in seat reservations on airlines linked to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is remarkably high for a single year, suggesting that the travel boom has not yet reached its peak. Other Spanish destinations like Andalusia, Madrid, and Catalonia are also seeing increases, though all remain below 10%.
A Vital Boost for Key Islands
This positive forecast is particularly welcome news for the Canary Islands’ second most important source market. German tourism is vital for all the islands, but especially for Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, which have recently been in need of good news. The data from the previous winter season illustrates this point: between January and March, the arrival of German tourists contracted by 0.8% across the region, with Lanzarote experiencing a sharp decline of 16%.
From Contraction to Recovery
Fortunately, the figures have been recovering throughout the rest of the year. By September, 2.2% more tourists had arrived from Germany compared to the same period the previous year, translating to an additional 42,900 visitors. Experts, including the Turespaña report, attribute the earlier decline in German arrivals to the country’s economic weakness, marked by two years of GDP contraction. This led travelers to seek out cheaper alternatives, such as Egypt.
The Airline Capacity Puzzle
Despite the soaring demand for the Canaries, there is a curious contradiction in the air travel data. The number of airline seats connecting the islands with German airports has actually decreased by 5.5%. A similar trend is seen at the national level, with a 2% reduction in seats compared to last year’s plans. The report links this circumstance to airline strategy, suggesting carriers may be redirecting their capacity towards markets with higher profitability.
