Data updated this Monday after World Tourism Day. AENA's tourist flows reveal a contrasting picture for Gran Canaria, where the overall rebound in August 2026 masks severe declines in key source markets. During the eighth month of the year, the island received a total of 298.871 foreign passengers, representing a 4,10% increase compared to the 287.107 in August 2025. For the year to date, from January to August, the figure rose from 2.658.224 to 2.695.196 travelers, a modest increase of 1,39%. However, this generally positive balance contrasts sharply with the negative performance of strategic markets such as Germany, Italy, and Sweden.
The German market, traditionally a driving force for the destination, continues to decline both monthly and annually. In August 2026, 53.180 German passengers arrived, a 3,71% decrease compared to the 55.227 recorded in the same month of 2025. Year-to-date, this contraction translates to a loss of 24.724 visitors, falling from 622.891 to 598.167, representing a 3,97% drop.
The situation in the Italian market is even more drastic, suffering the largest percentage and absolute decline among the main source markets. In August 2026, 8.724 Italian tourists arrived, a drop of 18,58% compared to the 10.715 recorded in August 2025. From January to August, the number of Italian visitors fell from 106.311 to 88.267, representing a sharp decline of 16,97% and a shortfall of 18.044 passengers.
The Swedish market is deepening a sustained crisis on the island. In August 2026, 3.928 travelers from Sweden were recorded, compared to 5.172 the previous year, a monthly drop of 24,05%. Year-to-date, Swedish tourism has fallen by 12,10%, losing 15.597 passengers, from 128.953 to 113.356.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands is experiencing continued declines. In August 2026, 27.772 Dutch visitors arrived, 3,73% fewer than the 28.848 in August 2025. However, the year-to-date total for the Netherlands remains positive with 208.299 travelers, a growth of 4,69%.
The island's overall growth is almost entirely driven by the British and French markets. The United Kingdom contributed 103.577 passengers in August 2026, an 8,99% increase over the 95.031 of the previous year, bringing the year-to-date total to 738.290 (a 6,45% increase). France saw the largest monthly percentage increase during the period, with 15.497 passengers in August, a 38,97% rise, and a year-to-date total of 99.324 tourists, a 33,23% increase.
In the general context of the Canary archipelago, the overall figures for August 2026 stood at 1.246.195 foreign passengers (0,91% more), while the annual total fell by 0,48% to 10.455.232 visitors, showing that the behavior of Gran Canaria runs counter to the severe island declines such as those suffered by Tenerife, which fell by 1,80% in its annual total with 4.105.913 passengers.
