The Governing Council of the Gran Canaria Island Council entity approves a draft budget worth 24.543.189,10 euros, which represents an increase of 0,69% compared to the previous year
Carlos Álamo, Tourism Councillor, highlights that “it strengthens external promotion, expands collaboration with municipalities and consolidates the responsible management of Tourism in Gran Canaria”
The Gran Canaria Island Council's Department of Tourism approved a draft budget for 2026 on Wednesday, October 29, following an ordinary session of its Governing Council. The budget totals €24.543.189,10, representing a 0,69% increase compared to the 2025 budget of €24.376.077,90. "The 2026 budget includes the highest investment in our history, strengthens international promotion, expands collaboration with municipalities, and consolidates the responsible management of Gran Canaria Tourism. It is a budget that is not improvised, but rather builds upon what works and prepares the destination for the future with technical rigor and a comprehensive vision," stated Councilor Carlos Álamo.
The Cabildo councilor, Carlos Álamo, described this budget as one of “consolidation,” since “it maintains the highest investment effort in our history and guarantees the stability of our strategic lines. Since 2019, we have gone from a budget of 13,6 million to more than 24,5 million. In just six years, we have increased resources by 80%, which demonstrates the Cabildo's confidence in the island's tourism policy and in the technical and administrative work of this institution.”
Furthermore, the councilor emphasized that this budget “allows us to continue advancing along the roadmap of the 2021–2025 Strategic Plan, which, although formally concluding this year, continues to define the guiding principles: such as sustainability, market diversification, continuous improvement of the destination, and public-private partnerships. All of this is aimed at prioritizing revenue over arrival volume, a firm commitment we made after the pandemic and which has proven successful, resulting in the best statistical data for this industry in its history and sustainable growth.”
This funding proposal, which will be submitted to the Gran Canaria Island Council for final approval, was endorsed by a majority vote from the governing coalition and with the support of the Canary Coalition councilors. Vox voted against it, while the People's Party abstained.
Carlos Álamo highlighted the efforts of the Gran Canaria Tourism staff in executing the annual budget. All indications are that 2025 will close at approximately 88% of the total budgeted amount, including the various additional funds. Overall, Gran Canaria Tourism has maintained an average execution rate of 87% to 88% over the last three fiscal years, "confirming its solvency, management capacity, and efficiency."
Of the €24,54 million, €9,48 million corresponds to current operations (personnel, operating expenses, promotion, and subsidies), and €15,05 million to capital operations, which include real investments and capital transfers to municipalities and collaborating entities. Several sections highlight the key changes in the draft budget. First, the section dedicated to real investments amounts to €10.995.437, an increase of 2,3%, and remains the largest component, representing almost 45% of the total. This maintains and strengthens the promotional budgets by market, with over €9 million allocated to international promotion. Furthermore, air connectivity is increased to €1.250.000, and funding for digital and segmented marketing continues. Capital transfers total €4.060.000. This section groups investments in municipalities and collaborating entities that carry out tourism projects.
