Positive Start at ITB Berlin for Gran Canaria
The Minister of Tourism for the Gran Canaria Council, Carlos Álamo, reported “positive feelings” after the first day of the ITB Berlin travel trade show. The island’s goal is to cement its status as the preferred Canary Island destination for German visitors. The minister noted that Germans account for “20% of total tourism revenue,” with “notable” growth in “young and LGBT” clientele.
Confidence Despite Global Uncertainty
Despite global uncertainty due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, Gran Canaria is confident it can match the visitor numbers of 2025. Indeed, in the first month of this year alone, passenger volume from Germany at the airport was 5% higher than in the first month of last year. The Gran Canarian delegation’s agenda is packed with 46 meetings aimed at increasing available flight capacity for the summer season.
Flight Connections and Market Share
Currently, the island has direct connections with twelve German cities and 19 airports. Condor leads in passenger volume with a 30.76% market share. It is followed by Lufthansa with 28.41%, and TUI with 21.81%. Some way behind them are airlines like Ryanair, with 8.74% of the German market, Sundair (3.01%), Corendon (2.83%), EasyJet (2.47%) and other airlines with 1.97%.
Collectively, these airlines managed the transport of 961,231 passengers last year, a 5.21% increase on 2024 and a 9.42% rise compared to 2019.
Increased Capacity and New Routes
Between May and July, the offer comprises 169,155 seats, representing a 2.8% increase compared to the same period in 2025. For August, September and October, growth is smaller (0.8%) with a total of 179,219 seats. There are also new routes from Corendon (Nuremberg, Hanover and Cologne) and Sundair (Bremen and Dresden).
While some other routes have been lost, it is not enough to stop Álamo from highlighting that, despite overall German tourist demand “not having recovered to pre-Covid levels – it remains at 88% of what it was before – Gran Canaria has 12% more seats” compared to 2019.
A Loyal and Evolving Market
Two-thirds of German visitors are repeat customers. “The German market is contained in number, but extremely loyal and profitable. We are the island that best maintains the volume and revenue from this market. Furthermore, we are achieving a generational shift with the incorporation of new profiles seeking different experiences,” stressed the Tourism Minister.
One of the most relevant data points for the island destination is the growth in the youth segment. The age group between 16 and 32 years now represents 22% of all German visitors. “This is a figure of enormous importance and we are making a great effort to achieve it,” continued Álamo. How? Through “a multi-product offer,” he revealed.
The other major key is the LGBT clientele, which represents 10% of total German arrivals. In fact, the Gran Canaria delegation split its time between the Canary Islands stand and the space dedicated to this community at the trade show.
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