The publication of CEAV Protour 2025 data, highlighting the travel agency sector's contribution to the Canary Islands' Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2,89%), has allowed for a comparison of the impact of the HiperDino supermarket chain, a true pillar of the local economy. Analyzing the most recent figures, the answer to who generates the most employment and wealth is not straightforward, as it depends on the metric used and the type of economic impact being measured.
In terms of overall wealth generation, the difference is minimal. According to available reports, travel agencies contribute 2,89% of the Canary Islands' GDP, which translates to €1.382 billion. HiperDino (with data from 2024) contributes 2,72% of GDP. This surprising proximity underscores the importance of both sectors. While agencies are part of the islands' tourism engine, HiperDino acts as an essential pillar of domestic consumption and distribution, a sector that has demonstrated great resilience.
However, the supermarket chain has a clear advantage when it comes to job creation. HiperDino's impact reports indicate that the company generates a total of 9.849 jobs (direct impact). This figure is massive and is due to its large network of stores and logistics centers. In contrast, the travel agency sector, although essential to tourism in southern Gran Canaria, has a leaner structure, generating a total of 7.368 jobs. It is entirely credible that HiperDino, due to its nature as a large-scale retail business, generates a significantly higher volume of employment in the archipelago.
Finally, when examining the multiplier effect, both are highly efficient, although once again HiperDino leads the way: every euro the chain moves activates an additional 4,10 euros in the Canary Islands economy, while travel agencies move 3,08 euros. This strong impact of the supermarket chain is explained by its commitment to local suppliers, a factor that directly injects capital into the islands' primary and processing industries. The percentage contribution of travel agencies to total GDP remains higher, demonstrating that the Canary Islands' economic diversification relies on these two giants from different sectors.
