The traditional, most important tourism fair in the United Kingdom is warming up its engines and the authorities in the south of Gran Canaria are beginning to put the finishing touches on the final details. In reality, there is little new news because the technicians who manage these market areas have everything under control; but one of the keys to the tourism business is to be seen, although most businessmen choose to send their managers. Municipalities such as Mogán have made progress in the infrastructure works committed to improving the quality of the destination, as has the rest of the south of Gran Canaria.
British tourism in the south of Gran Canaria has seen a mixed trajectory between 2019 and 2023, with a sharp decline in 2020 due to the pandemic and a gradual recovery culminating in 2023 with figures close to or higher than pre-pandemic figures. The island’s ability to attract British tourists lies in its unique combination of pleasant weather all year round, excellent tourist infrastructure and direct air connections. The south of Gran Canaria will remain a top destination for British tourists in the coming years, especially if the European tourism market manages to remain stable in the face of global economic challenges.
Tourism from the United Kingdom to Gran Canaria has had great economic relevance in recent years, being one of the most important markets for the island's tourism sector. Below is an analysis of the flow of British tourists to Gran Canaria from 2019 to 2023, considering the factors that have influenced the annual variations.
In 2019, Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands in general received a large influx of British tourists. According to the Canary Islands Statistics Institute (ISTAC), the British represented the second most important market for the island, only behind Germany. This year ended with more than 4,2 million British tourists across the Canary Islands, with Gran Canaria capturing a significant proportion of these visitors. UK tourists valued the offer of sun, beaches, and a warm climate all year round, making Gran Canaria a preferred destination.
The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 health crisis, which brought tourism to a standstill worldwide. Travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines drastically reduced the arrival of British tourists to Gran Canaria. The ban on non-essential flights and the health emergency situation in Europe led to an unprecedented decline in British tourism, falling by more than 90% compared to 2019. This impact was especially noticeable in the peak winter season, when many Britons visit the islands to escape the cold weather in the United Kingdom.
In 2021, following mass vaccination and the easing of some restrictions, a slow recovery in tourism began. However, the emergence of new variants of the virus and economic uncertainty slowed down a faster rebound. Gran Canaria saw a gradual increase in the arrival of British tourists, although still far from pre-pandemic levels. By the end of the year, the volume of visitors from the UK was around 60% lower than in 2019.
British tourism to Gran Canaria experienced a significant recovery in 2022. The lifting of most health restrictions and the desire of Britons to travel after two years of lockdown drove a significant increase in arrivals. Throughout the year, the number of British tourists reached levels close to those of 2019, standing at between 85% and 90% of pre-pandemic figures. Airlines also increased direct routes between the UK and Gran Canaria, facilitating this recovery.
In 2023, British tourism to Gran Canaria has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels. According to preliminary figures, the number of British tourists has matched or even exceeded 2019 levels, consolidating itself as the most important market for the island, particularly during the winter months. Factors such as inflation in Europe and the cost of living crisis in the UK may have limited further growth, but Gran Canaria remains a priority destination due to its good climate, hotel offering and improved air connectivity.
