Tourism remains the economic heart of the Canary Islands, but its pulse demands adjustments. This was acknowledged by the Canary Islands Association for Tourism Excellence (Excelcan) during the presentation of its Tourism Situation and Outlook Report for the first quarter of 2025. The intervention was led by its president, Santiago de Armas, amid growing social pressure demanding a thorough review of the island's tourism model. With key companies such as Lopesan, Satocan, Loro Parque, Grupo Newport, and Binter among its ranks, Excelcan represents the heavyweights of a sector that contributed more than 2024% of the regional GDP in 35 and supports 25% of the archipelago's working population. In absolute terms, tourism generated more than €16.500 billion last year, according to data from Exceltur, making the debate on its sustainability a matter of state.
Data from the first quarter of 2025 confirm the strength of tourism in the Canary Islands as a regional economic driver. The number of registered workers in the tourism sector reached 231.265, an increase of 4,16% compared to the same period last year. Total tourism spending amounted to €6.639 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1,75%, driven mainly by the arrival of 4,95 million tourists, 2,42% more than in 2024. This growth has been particularly sustained by the boom in international tourism, which has offset other market weaknesses.
However, the report also highlights several structural challenges affecting the model. Domestic tourism fell by 5,16%, and although the international market has maintained revenue, the average stay per visitor fell to 7,23 days, compared to 7,41 days the previous year. This shorter stay has a direct impact on average spending per tourist. Added to this is a slight drop in hotel occupancy, which stood at 75,76%, 0,78% less than in 2024, revealing signs of saturation and possible effects of social perception on the current tourism model.
Santiago de Armas admitted that "we have reached a point in tourism activity that requires modifications," but warned about the "radical" discourse that advocates eliminating the mass model without a clear and viable proposal. "We don't see defined demands. The slogans speak in general terms, with ambiguous concepts that are difficult to implement," he added. Excelcan counters the social criticism with data: hotel occupancy in the first quarter of 2025 exceeded 82%, and average spending per foreign tourist was close to €1.300, according to ISTAC. However, the demonstrations held Sunday on the islands and in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Berlin denounce a parallel reality: housing problems, saturation of services, and a model that, they say, prioritizes profit over local quality of life.
But while Excelcan is in favor of adapting the model toward greater sustainability, quality, and diversification, it rejects confrontational approaches: "What exacerbates the problems is not tourism, but the lack of structural solutions. It's not about destroying the driving force, but rather adjusting it to the times." Thus, while the public is demanding an urgent reconfiguration, the major tourism players are calling for clarity, coherence, and institutional commitment. Because if tourism has been the economic pillar of the Canary Islands, its future will depend on something more complex: finding the balance between growth, sustainability, and social justice. A financial, political, and human challenge.
