Tourists are already planning their holidays for 2027 and even 2028. The south of Gran Canaria, and Maspalomas in particular, remains the preferred destination for thousands of foreign tourists who, year after year, choose its beaches and privileged climate for their vacations. A recent official analysis of these visitors' habits, corresponding to the second quarter of 2026 (April-June), reveals that planning is key for these travelers, most of whom book their trips months in advance and research the destination online and through social media. The leading tourism-focused businesses specializing in Maspalomas are the crown jewel when it comes to making a decision, according to official data from Las Palmas.
The data is compelling: more than half of the tourists who arrived in Gran Canaria in the second quarter of 2026 (52,29%) planned their trip more than three months in advance. This percentage shows a slight increase compared to the same period in 2025 (52,19%), highlighting that the vast majority of international visitors, including those traveling to Maspalomas, make their travel decisions well in advance, consolidating a trend of planned and stable tourism. At the other end of the spectrum, 24,75% of tourists booked one month or less in advance, a 3,67% decrease compared to the previous year, indicating a reduction in last-minute decisions. 21,61% booked one to two months in advance. This booking pattern suggests a mature and proactive tourism market, where improvisation is rare.
Analyzing the information channels used by tourists before their trip reveals that "Internet or social media" (29,30%) and "Previous visits to the Canary Islands" (30,95%) are the main drivers for deciding to visit the islands. This finding is especially relevant when breaking down the information by country of residence, confirming the importance of the digital environment for reaching new markets. For the British market, "Internet or social media" has experienced a significant surge, rising from 25,82% in the second quarter of 2025 to 30,53% in the same period of 2026. This digital channel has solidified its position as the most important source of information for this group, slightly surpassing "Previous visits to the Canary Islands" (36,00%), which, nevertheless, maintain considerable weight. The use of "Tour operators or travel agencies" has also grown among British tourists, reaching 12,95%.
Among German visitors, "Internet or social media" remains a key channel, used by 28,11% of tourists in the second quarter of 2026. Although slightly lower than the 29,06% in 2025, it continues to be a vital tool. "Previous visits to the Canary Islands" (29,59%) are the main source of information for this market, closely followed by the online channel. "Tour operators or travel agencies" have a significant and stable presence in this segment (15,21%). The "Other countries" group also shows a strong dependence on digital channels to find information about the destination, with 28,63% of tourists using "Internet or social media" in the second quarter of 2026, remaining at similar levels to 2025. "Previous visits to the Canary Islands" (28,28%) and "Tour operator or travel agency" (13,31%) complete the range of key information sources for this group.
In short, foreign tourists who choose Gran Canaria, and by extension Maspalomas, are forward-thinking planners who largely research and decide on their destination through digital channels. The internet and social media have become the primary showcase and the most effective persuasion tool for attracting visitors from key markets such as the British and German, complementing the loyalty of those who already know the archipelago and choose to return.
