Revenue per available room (RevPAR) has risen by 6.31%, and the number of people employed in the tourism sector in the archipelago has exceeded 235,700
Gran Canaria, 19 May 2026.—The Canary Islands ended the first quarter of 2026 with a positive trend in the main economic indicators for the tourism sector, consolidating growth in accommodation revenue, business profitability and employment, despite a slight dip in occupancy rates. This is according to the Tourism Situation Report for the first quarter of 2026, produced by Corporación 5, Análisis y Estrategias for EXCELCAN and the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce.
According to the report, the archipelago’s tourist accommodation capacity reached 372,831 beds, representing an increase of 1,066 beds compared to the same period in 2025 (+0.29%). Tenerife led the growth in accommodation capacity, adding 2,291 new beds, whilst Lanzarote (-625), Gran Canaria (-350) and Fuerteventura (-329) recorded decreases. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, regional accommodation capacity increased by 1,645 beds.
The accommodation occupancy rate stood at 74.63%, representing a decrease of 1.12 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2025. Lanzarote recorded the highest occupancy rate in the archipelago, at 76.60%, followed by Tenerife (75.65%), Gran Canaria (74.99%) and Fuerteventura (72.42%). However, compared with the previous quarter, occupancy improved on most of the islands.
In terms of profitability, revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached €123.29, representing year-on-year growth of 6.31%. Gran Canaria recorded the highest figure in the archipelago, at €134.43, followed by Tenerife at €131.81. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, the regional RevPAR increased by €9.16.
Total revenue from tourist accommodation amounted to €1.749 billion during the first quarter of 2026, €112 million more than in the same period of the previous year. Tenerife accounted for 36.95% of the archipelago’s total revenue and Gran Canaria for 31.96%. Compared with the previous quarter, revenue increased by €100 million, representing growth of 6.10%.
Decline in the supply of holiday accommodation
The report also highlights a decline in the holiday accommodation sector. The Canary Islands recorded 180,107 beds in the first quarter of 2026, representing a reduction of 17,665 beds compared with the same period in 2025 (-9%). Tenerife saw the sharpest decline, with 7,410 fewer beds. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, the reduction was 10,160 beds (-5.34%).
The occupancy rate stood at 94.15%, 1.43 percentage points below the same period of the previous year. Lanzarote reached the highest level, at 94.56%, followed by Fuerteventura (94.52%), Tenerife (94.17%) and Gran Canaria (94.12%). Compared to the previous quarter, the rate increased across all the islands.
The average daily rate (ADR) for holiday accommodation reached €149.34. Lanzarote recorded the highest rate in the archipelago, at €175.48. Year-on-year, the regional ADR fell by 8.27%, although compared with the fourth quarter of 2025 it rose by 7.36%.
Total revenue from holiday homes amounted to €348 million. This represents a decrease of €4 million compared with the first quarter of 2025, although it marks an increase of €28 million (+9%) compared with the previous quarter. Tenerife accounted for 42.53% of the region’s turnover in this sector.
Tourism spending is set to exceed €23.1 billion in 2025
Total tourist spending in the Canary Islands reached €23.124 billion in 2025. Tenerife accounted for 39.4% of total spending, with €9.134 billion, followed by Gran Canaria, with €6.280 billion.
Compared with 2024, tourist spending increased across all the islands, with La Palma (+27.79%) and Fuerteventura (+7.31%) standing out in particular, confirming the strength of tourist demand and its economic impact across the entire archipelago.
Tourism employment rises by 2.77%
Average employment in the tourism sector in the Canary Islands stood at 235,760 registered workers during the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 24.66% of the total number of registered workers in the archipelago.
The sector generated 6,358 more registered workers than in the same period of 2025, representing an increase of 2.77%. However, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, tourism employment fell slightly by 625 registered workers (-0.26%).
Pressure on the aviation sector due to rising energy costs
The report also warns of the impact of rising energy costs on air transport. The average price of a barrel of Brent crude rose from $70.89 in February 2026 to $117.29 in April, whilst aviation kerosene almost doubled over the same period, rising from $98.41 to $192.64.
At the same time, the CPI for passenger air transport recorded significant increases in March 2026: 10.4% month-on-month in Germany, 10.0% in the UK and 4.1% in Spain.
These figures point to a scenario of growing pressure on air transport operating costs and their potential impact on the Canary Islands’ connectivity and competitiveness in the tourism sector over the coming months.