Consultancy firm Exceltur has confirmed a slowdown in hotel bookings in the Canary Islands during the first quarter of the year. This phenomenon is attributed to a combination of factors, including economic volatility and uncertainty, an increase in accommodation prices, and tourist demand showing signs of saturation after years of sustained growth.
The islands' limited accommodation capacity, typically operating above 90%, leaves little room for further growth. Added to this is less favorable weather than expected during the high season, with recurring storms deterring some visitors. Despite these adversities, April saw a slight recovery, possibly influenced by the Middle East conflict, according to Exceltur's Barometer of Profitability of Spanish Tourist Destinations.
The report highlights that, unlike other low-season holiday destinations, the Canary Islands, during their peak season, are experiencing this slowdown trend. Foreign demand dynamism has decreased by 1.4%, while domestic demand has grown by 9.2%, indicating disparities among markets.
Regarding cities, the Canary Islands' capitals show divergent revenue evolutions. Santa Cruz de Tenerife registered a slight 0.1% decrease in its income, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria demonstrated a stronger positioning as a holiday destination, reaching 95.6 euros in revenue per available room (RevPAR), an increase of 6.8% compared to the previous year.
The Canary Islands are consolidating their position as a high-category destination, with significant efforts in renovating tourist areas and improving connectivity. Adeje stands out, leading revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Spain with €181.5, a 5.9% increase within the Canary Islands. Other municipalities like Arona (€123.5) and Puerto de la Cruz (€79.1) also show increases.
Nationally, the average price of accommodation has risen by 4% between January and April, despite only a 1.8% increase in occupancy. The average RevPAR in Spain stood at 90.2 euros per night, 5.9% more than the previous year, reflecting a general trend of price hikes.
