The accommodation sector in Gran Canaria closed last August with a clear disconnect between profitability and occupancy rates, registering a general increase in prices and a slowdown in overall overnight stays. According to data released by the Canary Islands Statistics Institute (ISTAC) from its hotel and non-hotel occupancy survey, the average daily rate climbed to €135,70 in August 2026, representing a 4,68% increase compared to the €129,63 recorded in the same month of the previous year. In the cumulative figures for the first eight months of the year, this price indicator maintains an identical upward trend, reaching an average of €134,31, 4,69% higher than the €128,29 recorded for the same period in 2025.
This dynamism in prices was accompanied by mixed performance in the archipelago's main occupancy indicators. The room occupancy rate saw a slight monthly increase of 0,59% in August, reaching 82,50% compared to 82,02% the previous year, while the year-to-date figure remained virtually flat at 80,52%. Conversely, the bed occupancy rate contracted by 1,80% in August, falling from 81,70% to 80,23%. This divergence between the two ratios indicates greater restraint in the number of beds occupied simultaneously compared to the optimization of capacity per room, a trend also reflected in the year-to-date average bed occupancy, which declined by 1,06% to 70,78%.
Analysis of overall demand volumes reveals that total overnight stays across all tourist establishments on the island decreased by 1,15% in August, totaling 2.681.814 stays compared to 2.712.988 in 2025. This brings the year-to-date total to 18.568.733 overnight stays, representing a year-on-year decrease of 0,83%. This slight overall decline was led by the international traveler segment, whose monthly overnight stays fell by 1,71% to 2.056.019. Despite this decrease, the number of international tourists staying on the island grew by 2,43% in August, reaching 307.610 visitors. This brings the year-to-date total to 2.492.915 travelers, a 2,58% increase.
Regarding the behavior of national and regional demand, the statistical data reflect contrasting trends between visitors from the rest of Spain and Canary Island residents. Overnight stays by non-resident domestic tourists in the islands increased by 4,31% in August, reaching 243.352 stays, driven by a 1,26% increase in the number of guests. However, the Canary Island resident market experienced a decline of 1,40% in monthly overnight stays (382.443 stays) and 0,79% in the number of guests (93.051), confirming a moderation in local tourism during the summer period.
Regarding average stay, the overall number of visitors saw a 1,91% decrease in August, settling at 7,19 days per traveler, a trend that is repeated in the year-to-date average of 7,04 days. Foreign tourists maintained average stays of 8,37 days in August, a 3,90% reduction compared to last year, while domestic travelers extended their stays by 3,10% to 5,65 days. The combination of these factors confirms a scenario where the Gran Canaria accommodation sector prioritizes room rate profitability over a large number of beds, mitigating the slight decreases in total overnight stays by offering higher value for the tourist stay.
