Gran Canaria's accommodation sector has entered a phase of structural reconfiguration, marked by controlled volatility in the number of operating establishments and a strengthening of the four-star category. The hotel census closed March with 100 active units, recovering from the lows recorded in January and February, when the supply fell to 96 and 94 hotels respectively. This performance reflects more aggressive seasonal inventory management, with peak openings in December reaching 105 establishments to capture demand during the peak winter season.
The influx of new hotels into the sector over the past year underscores San Bartolomé de Tirajana's dominance as the driving force behind accommodation investment. In this municipality alone, six strategic four-star openings have been identified between November 2025 and February 2026, notably the units operational since February 27, 2026, and the two new additions on December 29, 2025. Mogán, meanwhile, has strengthened its premium segment with a five-star opening on February 1, 2026, complementing the mid-to-high-end offering that began with three- and four-star openings in late 2025.
The geographical expansion towards the north and interior of the island is evident in specific but significant additions, such as the three-star hotel in Arucas, inaugurated on January 16, 2026, and the establishment of the same category in Tejeda, operational since March 2025. The capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, added a two-star hotel in April 2025, demonstrating an interest in diversifying the urban offering beyond the traditional focus on the south. This dynamic activity in the acquisition and disposal of properties suggests a capital rotation that prioritizes the four-star standard, which accounts for the vast majority of the new licenses identified.
Occupancy metrics reveal a two-speed market with pronounced monthly fluctuations. The sector reached its peak performance in August 2025 at 86,61%, closing an exceptionally robust summer cycle that began in July at 83,33%. However, the industry faced severe corrections during the transition months; May 2025 saw the lowest occupancy rate at 67,34%, followed by a gradual recovery in June to 74,34%. Stability returned in the first quarter of 2026, with March reaching 78,92% occupancy, representing growth from the 77,46% recorded in September 2025.
Analysis of demand flows shows that the peak winter months have maintained remarkable resilience. January 2026 closed with 79,21% occupancy, while February climbed to 82,96%, benefiting from enhanced air connectivity and favorable weather. This occupancy strength, combined with the addition of high-end properties in the south, positions Gran Canaria as a market where the number of hotels fluctuates according to operational efficiency, but occupancy rates tend to rise in higher value-added properties.
