More than twenty tourism companies and promotional entities from the Canary Islands showcased their winter tourism offerings this week to over two hundred agents, tour operators, and industry professionals in Canada. The events took place in Montreal and Toronto, where the delegation was led by Jéssica de León, the Minister of Tourism and Employment for the Government of the Canary Islands.
The meetings aimed to highlight the opportunities the archipelago presents to Canadian travelers, with De León noting,
“The new direct connections bring the Canary Islands closer to a market with distinct characteristics and preferences. Diversifying markets is particularly important for a destination like ours, and Canada has travelers interested in nature, gastronomy, culture, and outdoor experiences.”
This winter, the Canary Islands will be connected to Canada through four routes and six weekly flights. Air Canada will operate two flights per week from Toronto to Tenerife South and one flight from Montreal, which will increase to two flights during February and March. Additionally, Air Transat will provide a weekly flight from both Toronto and Montreal to Gran Canaria. Air Canada will also extend the Montreal-Tenerife route into the summer of 2027, offering three weekly flights, making this connection available year-round.
The direct flights to Tenerife and Gran Canaria facilitate access to the entire archipelago and allow travelers to combine visits to different islands during their stay. This connectivity is supported by the use of single-aisle, long-range aircraft, enabling airlines to operate transatlantic routes with capacities suited to this market. Both Air Transat and Air Canada will utilize the Airbus A321LR for their routes, which consumes 20% to 30% less fuel than previous generations of similar-sized aircraft, thereby reducing CO2 emissions proportionately.
Canadian tourists typically stay in the Canary Islands for an average of 15 days, compared to 9.2 days for tourists from other markets. This longer stay translates to increased consumption of tourism services during their visit.
Market data indicates a growing demand for international travel among Canadians, with a particular interest in European destinations that offer favorable climate, culture, nature, and air connectivity. In 2025, Canadian residents took 37 million international trips, 14 million of which were to countries outside the United States, marking a 10% increase.
The Canary Islands' offerings align with the preferences of Canadian travelers, who particularly value landscapes (59% compared to 37% from other markets), environmental surroundings (39% versus 35%), and gastronomy (39% compared to 27%). Canadian travelers also exhibit a higher purchasing power, with 45% reporting net incomes over 75,000 euros, compared to 29% from other markets. Furthermore, 59% of these travelers book only accommodation, compared to 36% overall, indicating a greater likelihood of directly purchasing additional services such as dining and shopping during their stay.
The professional events, co-financed by 85% through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), gathered over 200 Canadian agents and professionals, facilitating direct contact with hotels, hotel groups, and promotional entities from the Canary Islands. The business meetings included gastronomic experiences to showcase local products, wines, and traditions, integrating Canary Island cuisine and identity into the tourism presentation.
During the agenda in Montreal, the Canary delegation met with representatives from Tourisme Montréal and held discussions with route planners from Air Canada and Air Transat regarding the new operations to the Canary Islands and their marketing in the Canadian market. In Toronto, the delegation engaged in institutional and professional meetings with airline representatives, agency networks, tour operators, specialized media, and other stakeholders in the Canadian tourism industry.
