The arrival of the new German government, led by Friedrich Merz (CDU), has not only revived economic expectations in Europe's leading powerhouse, but its impact is already beginning to be felt in the tourism industry in southern Gran Canaria. After months of political uncertainty, the announcement of a stable government has raised the German consumer confidence index to -20,6 points in May, a rise of 3,7 compared to the previous month, according to the NIM Institute and GfK.
This shift in trend is being strongly felt in the holiday destinations favored by the German market, including Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, and Puerto Rico. Forecasts from tour operators such as TUI and DER Touristik indicate an increase of up to 12% in bookings to Gran Canaria compared to the same period last year, with peak occupancy rates exceeding 85% in hotels on the southern coast during the months of July and August.
Data from the Gran Canaria Tourist Board corroborate this trend: in the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 348.000 German tourists arrived on the island, representing a year-on-year increase of 9,4%. If this pace continues, the year could close with more than 1,2 million visitors from Germany, consolidating this country as the second largest source market, behind only the United Kingdom.
The key, according to industry sources, lies in the "new perception of economic and political stability" conveyed by the Merz administration, coupled with improved working and consumer conditions in Germany. "When there is confidence in the future, Germans travel again, and they do so with longer stays and higher average daily spending," explains Antonio Hormiga, president of the employers' association.
Southern hoteliers are already preparing for a summer of high demand. Riu, Dunas Hotels, Lopesan, and Gloria Thalasso & Hotels plan to strengthen their services in light of the positive trend in bookings. Furthermore, Gran Canaria Airport will have more than 40 direct weekly connections with German cities, including new flights from Munich, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg.
The improved German situation also comes at a key moment for the destination's repositioning. Gran Canaria's promotional strategy, which has emphasized sustainability, well-being, and sports, connects with the new demands of German visitors, who are increasingly demanding in their tourist experience. Added to this is the stable climate and the competitive advantage over destinations in North Africa or the Eastern Mediterranean, which are still marked by geopolitical tensions.
Everything indicates that the summer of 2025 could mark a turning point for German tourism in Gran Canaria. Political stability in Berlin has breathed new life into the pockets and imaginations of millions of Germans, and many of them have already chosen southern Gran Canaria as the setting for their well-deserved vacation.
