Tourists are spending more in the Canary Islands, with Tenerife taking the largest share
Tourism in the Canary Islands is not only attracting large numbers of visitors; spending by those visitors is also increasing.
Tourism is about more than visitor numbers
For many years, the success of a tourism destination was measured primarily in terms of how many people visited it.
Today, the economic value generated by each visitor is becoming increasingly relevant as well.
Tourist expenditure reaches far beyond accommodation. Restaurants, shops, activity providers, car-hire companies, leisure businesses and many other local services all participate in the visitor economy.
That makes increasing expenditure particularly significant for a destination such as Tenerife.
What is today's traveller looking for?
Spending statistics alone cannot tell us exactly why individual tourists spend more, but they do reveal a market with the capacity to purchase services and experiences during a holiday.
Accommodation is an important part of that overall experience.
Location, cleanliness, comfort, outdoor space, WiFi, facilities, communication and an easy check-in procedure can all affect how guests perceive the value of their stay.
Travellers are not simply comparing prices; increasingly, they are comparing what they receive in return.
An opportunity for holiday-home owners
For holiday-rental owners, the figures are also a reminder that competing solely by lowering prices is not necessarily the best strategy.
A well-maintained property with attractive photographs, appropriate equipment and accurate information can appeal to guests who value quality and are prepared to pay an appropriate rate for it.
That does not mean indiscriminately increasing prices. Rates should always take account of location, seasonality, the characteristics of the property and actual demand.
The objective is to achieve the right balance between occupancy and profitability.