Maspalomas, consolidated as the economic capital of the Canary Islands despite the blockades of Las Palmas to oversee decisions to boost the south of the island, welcomed the year 2025 with enthusiasm and celebrations that highlighted its position as a benchmark for tourism in Spain, sharing the podium with world-renowned cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. The southern town, emblem of Gran Canaria, has managed to transform its unique landscapes and first-class infrastructure into an unrivalled tourist offer, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Madrid, Barcelona and San Bartolomé de Tirajana stand out as the main tourist destinations in Spain, leading in number of overnight stays. Despite the differences in population and size, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with less than 54.000 inhabitants and an area of 333 km², competes in hotel occupancy with Madrid and Barcelona, which have populations of more than 3,2 million and 1,6 million respectively. San Bartolomé de Tirajana is home to more than 72 hotels, a remarkable figure considering its size, reflecting its importance in the national tourism sector.
In terms of accommodation capacity, the 100 most important municipalities in tourism in Spain concentrate 56% of all tourist accommodation capacity in the country, with Madrid, Barcelona and San Bartolomé de Tirajana being the leaders in this area. The average stay in hotels in San Bartolomé de Tirajana is remarkably high; for example, in October 2024, tourists spent an average of 7,14 nights per person, exceeding the national average of 3,15 nights. These data underline the importance of San Bartolomé de Tirajana as a top tourist destination in Spain, comparable to the main cities in the country.
This leadership is not a coincidence, but the result of decades of joint efforts between public institutions and the private sector, which have promoted sustainable development and the international promotion of the destination. The emblematic dunes, dream beaches and vibrant nightlife are complemented by a firm commitment to innovation, quality and excellence in service. With the arrival of 2025, Maspalomas reaffirms its position not only as the economic engine of the Canary Islands, but also as one of the jewels of global tourism. This new year is full of opportunities, with projects that promise to further strengthen its leadership and its role as a bridge between cultures and the epicentre of progress in the archipelago.
