The Alliance of Tourist Municipalities (AMT), which brings together eight of Spain's leading holiday destinations—including San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Maspalomas), Adeje, and Arona—held a key event in London this week to strengthen its ties with the British market. The meeting, attended by institutional representatives and executives from leading companies such as TUI, Jet2, and ABTA, served to underscore these destinations' commitment to a more balanced and resilient tourism model focused on sustainability, social integration, and hospitality.
The president of the AMT and mayor of Lloret de Mar, Adrià Lamelas, emphasized the need to maintain fluid communication with British tourism stakeholders and promote joint actions that balance the interests of residents and visitors. Similarly, the vice president of the AMT and mayor of Arona, Fátima Lemes, defended the tradition of hospitality toward British tourists and rejected alarmist messages that could distort the image of the destination. For his part, the mayor of Calvià, Juan Antonio Amengual, detailed the measures taken to extend the tourist season, such as the early opening and extended use of beaches, and acknowledged the role of Jet2holidays in improving air connectivity.
The day culminated with panel discussions featuring key industry executives, including Neil Swanson (TUI UK & Ireland), Steve Heapy (Jet2) and Mark Tanzer (ABTA), moderated by journalists Sophie Griffiths (TTG Media) and Lucy Huxley (Travel Weekly), reinforcing the message of cooperation and mutual trust between Spanish destinations and the British market.
In 2023, Maspalomas Costa Canaria welcomed a total of 2.712.904 visitors, of which 336.671 came from the domestic market, representing 12,41% of the total. British tourism played a prominent role, consolidating its position as the main source market for tourists in the south of Gran Canaria. This growth is part of a broader context where British tourism in Gran Canaria has maintained steady growth since 2022, registering a 15,7% year-on-year increase in 2023. By 2025, the number of British visitors is expected to exceed one million, consolidating the United Kingdom as the most important foreign market for the island.
This boost has been supported by improved air connectivity, with a 6,67% increase in available seats between the United Kingdom and Gran Canaria for the 2024-2025 winter season, reaching a total of 580.322. Furthermore, revenue generated by British tourists in Gran Canaria in 2023 reached €1.102 billion, leading the sector in terms of revenue.
