Canary Islands Tourism Up 18.5% 2011

Tourism in the Canary Islands has increased this year by 18.5%ahead of most European destinations. The islands that include Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera,La Palma and El Hierro received 9.2 million visitors from countries other than Mainland Spain in the first 11 months  making the Canaries Islands the third on the list of Spanish holiday regions, behind Catalonia with 13 million and very close to the Balearics with 10 million. Across Spain tourism is on average up 7.7% this year making the Canaries increase over twice the National average.

The reason for the above average performance has been attribuited to the Islands all year warm weather - an important consideration to families looking for guaranteed sunshine. In Fuerteventura an increase in flights from all major European markets such as the UK and also new emerging markets like Denmark and France have also attribuited to the increase. Latest tourism board figures for Fuerteventura also suggest a doubling of promotional spend for 2012 which will introduce the Island to those yet to visit its golden beaches. Estimates for the close of 2011 are over 2,000,000 visitors to Fuerteventura alone.