Tourism in the south of Gran Canaria has an impact on the port of Las Palmas, where the arrival of empty containers continues to dominate the business model in view of the loss of competitiveness compared to other large ports in the Atlantic. Of the containers that arrive with merchandise, at least 30% are used to supply products to the economic capital of the Canary Islands, Maspalomas. Demand from Mogán also draws a large part of the production of the port of Las Palmas. There are hardly any official figures for this type of merchandise or its destination because it is known that Las Palmas does not want to recognize the efforts of the south of the island in favor of the regional economy.
In 2023, 994.547 containers arrived and the data show that these figures depend largely on the south of Gran Canaria. The diversification of economic activity in Maspalomas is reflected in the evolution of port traffic in Las Palmas. Between January and April 2021, the movement of goods increased by 28,53%, reaching 2.243.347 tonnes. This increase is explained by the greater dynamism of the tourism sector, which has boosted demand for consumer goods and construction materials. In addition, the growth in roll-on/roll-off cargo traffic, with an increase of 23,07%, shows the importance of the port in the distribution of goods on the island."
Container movement consolidated its position in 2023, exceeding 1,20 million TEUs, compared to 1,16 million in 2022, with an increase of 3,5%. The paralysis of tourism due to Covid19 exposes the miseries that Las Palmas does not want the people of the south of the island to know: without tourism there is no thriving island. The decline that is being generated in the arrival of goods is due to domestic consumption, weighed down by a devaluation of salaries.
In the case of Las Palmas, in 2023 there was already a reduction of 0,7%, in 176.539 tons. The Gran Canarian area moved 24,8 million tons. The Port of La Luz, which accounts for 23,8 million tons of this total traffic, 346.000 less than in 2022, with a decrease in activity of 1,43%. For 2024, the south of Gran Canaria expects to receive a significant volume of tourists, in line with the general increase projected in tourist activity in the Canary Islands. The Cabildo de Gran Canaria and the local tourism sector have highlighted their commitment to diversifying the issuing markets, reducing dependence on Germany and the United Kingdom, and promoting higher quality and spending tourism.
The Las Palmas Chamber of Commerce and Excelcan have recorded a 17,71% increase in tourist spending in the economic capital of the Canary Islands, with the arrival of 1.359.327 main tourists, which is 122.312 more than the number of tourists arriving during the fourth quarter of the previous year (9,89%) and 179.846 more than in the first quarter of 2023 (15,25%). This tourism has generated 1.945 million euros, which is up 17,71% compared to the 4th quarter of 2023. Spending statistics for 2024 will be known in 2025.
