During the debate on the state of the island on Monday, the president of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales, argued that Gran Canaria is "progressing in a balanced way" thanks to a sustainable development model, with a strong presence of public services, a transforming economy, and a firm commitment to triple sovereignty in energy, water, and food. In a speech in which he called for "avoiding sterile polarization," Morales emphasized the strategic role played by the south of the island, a tourism powerhouse for Gran Canaria and a laboratory for economic transformation. "We have everything to be a central location, and not the periphery of anything or anyone," he stated, clearly alluding to the potential of areas such as Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, and Meloneras.
Tourism data confirms this. In 2024 alone, the island welcomed more than 4,7 million visitors, representing an 8,32% increase compared to 2023 and record numbers of overnight stays. "We are pleased that this growth has also translated into an increase in aggregate tourism revenue for the third consecutive year, which demonstrates higher added-value tourism," he noted. In his speech, Morales emphasized that Gran Canaria is experiencing "a period of clear progress" on multiple fronts, from the labor market to tourism, including productivity, public investment, and social cohesion. "We find ourselves with an island that is eschewing predatory development and is committed to guaranteeing social rights for the entire population without leaving anyone behind," he emphasized.
The island president emphasized that this momentum is not the result of chance, but rather the "visible leadership" of the Island Council, which projects a governance model that "connects all areas of its action to achieve comprehensive coherence in the energy, economic, social, and environmental spheres." He added: "This island government is putting the general interest first, building a caring society that combats exclusion." The president backed up his statements with "eloquent" figures: in 2024, employment grew by 4,3%, one in five unemployed people found work, and the business confidence index returned to pre-pandemic levels. Social Security affiliation, especially in the southern part of the island, which is linked to the service sector, also reached historic highs.
Added to this is an increase in the island's GDP of 3,58%, a growth in GDP per capita of 3,5%—above the Canary Islands' average of 2,62%—and an increase in average household income of €6.421, representing a 20,26% improvement over recent years. Furthermore, productivity grew by 1,22%, compared to 0,99% for the archipelago as a whole. Antonio Morales also highlighted the direct investment of the Island Council, which currently exceeds €1.600 billion, with a particular impact on tourist municipalities such as San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán. "This investment represents a direct injection into our economy, allows our SMEs to capitalize, and generates stable, quality employment," he emphasized.
Among the priority initiatives, he highlighted the consolidation of the "eco-island" model based on energy, water, and food sovereignty. "It is the only way to reduce our dependence on foreign countries, advance the energy transition, and guarantee our own future," he stated. The president of the Island Council concluded with a message of confidence: "Gran Canaria is a great community project. We have abandoned sterile confrontation and are committed to dialogue and consensus. Our strength lies in listening to the needs of the citizens." Morales asserted that the Gran Canaria island model "works, inspires, and generates results," and called for unity around a project that looks to the future with ambition and the conviction that "Gran Canaria leads because it has a vision, a fulfillment, and the enthusiasm that always made us great."
