Tourism remains one of the most important economic drivers for the Canary Islands, as confirmed by data from the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC). According to the 2024 Tourist Spending Survey, each visitor to the archipelago spent an average of €176 per day. However, this expenditure varies depending on the municipality of accommodation and the nationality of the visitor.
Adeje, Yaiza, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana Lead in Daily Spending
Tourists staying in Adeje recorded the highest daily spending, with an average of €206 per person. Following closely are Yaiza, with €198 per day, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with €186 per day.
Regarding the origin of tourists, British visitors were the highest spenders, with an average daily expenditure of €191. Those staying in Adeje spent as much as €215 per day. Meanwhile, German tourists had an average daily spending of €170, with Santiago del Teide being the municipality where they spent the most, averaging €204 per day. Spanish tourists recorded an average daily expenditure of €152, with Yaiza and Adeje being the destinations with the highest spending, at €192 per day in both cases.
Length of Stay and Tourist Preferences
The average stay of tourists in the Canary Islands in 2024 was 9.37 days, a slight decrease from the 9.47 days recorded in 2023. Mogán, with an average of 11.2 days, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with 10.2 days, were the destinations where visitors stayed the longest.
Regarding travel planning, 53.4% of tourists who visited the Canary Islands in 2024 booked their trips more than three months in advance. However, in cities like Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, nearly 40% of visitors made their reservations less than a month before traveling.
Opinions on a Tourist Tax in the Canary Islands
Another relevant aspect of the study is tourists’ perception of the potential implementation of a tourist tax. In total, 53.2% of visitors to the Canary Islands would be willing to pay a tax per night of accommodation. Breña Baja (67.5%) and Fuencaliente de La Palma (66%) are the municipalities with the highest acceptance of this measure, while Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura registered the lowest support, with 42%.
Additionally, 88.4% of tourists who supported this tax stated that they would not mind paying between €1 and €3 per day.
Source: ISTAC