The Ministry of Tourism and Employment of the Canary Islands will manage a budget of 541 million euros for 2027, which includes 189.5 million euros allocated directly to the ministry and an additional 351.5 million euros from the Canary Employment Service (SCE). This funding aims to support initiatives in tourism development, infrastructure enhancement, professional training, and job creation.
During a parliamentary session, the minister, Jéssica de León, highlighted that these resources are crucial for maintaining the momentum of tourism and employment as vital components of the Canary Islands' economy and social progress.
Budget breakdown and priorities
The SCE's budget remains nearly unchanged, with a slight increase of 0.02%, bringing it to 351.5 million euros. These funds will primarily focus on training, professional guidance, and job placement for both unemployed and employed individuals, as well as addressing the qualification needs of businesses.
Excluding personnel costs, the Ministry's budget shows a 1.15% increase, although there is a significant overall reduction of 23% compared to 2026, largely due to a decrease in extraordinary European funding from the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (MRR), which now stands at 2.36 million euros.
The three directorates within the tourism sector will receive 85.9 million euros, reflecting a 2.43% increase from the previous year, excluding common services and MRR funding. Notable new initiatives include three funding lines within the Directorate General of Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Quality Tourism, totalling 2.27 million euros. This includes 900,000 euros for enhancing tourist heritage, 900,000 euros for developing camping areas, and 478,040 euros for rural tourism and wine tourism.
New regulations and initiatives
De León also mentioned the recent approval of a decree regulating outdoor and unique tourist accommodation, which establishes a framework for developing this type of offering in the islands.
The Vice-Ministry of Tourism will see a 13.73% increase in its budget, reaching 4.25 million euros. Key priorities include strengthening the Tourist Observatory and the Tourist Information System, with funding rising by 14.6% to 906,473 euros. Additionally, 200,000 euros are earmarked for hosting two international congresses: the Ibero-American Tourism Forum and a Travel Agencies Congress.
Investment in tourism training is also a focus, with the Directorate General of Regulation, Training, and Tourism Promotion receiving 58.17 million euros, representing a 13.53% increase for its Professional Tourism Training programme, which will total 9.53 million euros. Hecansa will implement training initiatives for tourist guide certification and enhance active tourism training.
Promotur will receive 43 million euros, including 6.65 million euros for managing professional sports sponsorships. Without this allocation, the continuation of its previous activities will be funded with 36.36 million euros. Priorities include promoting high-value markets, improving air connectivity, enhancing tourism intelligence, digitalisation, climate action, and the Regnext programme.
Hecansa will be allocated 8.92 million euros, a 14.79% increase, which includes 400,000 euros for the new Technological Centre and 50,000 euros for the training and professional updating of tourist guides.
Labour market updates
The SCE's budget remains stable at 351.5 million euros for 2027, allowing for continued training, guidance, and job placement policies for both unemployed and employed individuals, as well as addressing businesses' qualification needs. De León referenced the latest labour market data from October, which shows Social Security affiliation in the Canary Islands at 989,058 people, the highest level recorded in history.
The Directorate General of Labour (DGT) will receive 8.47 million euros, an 11.66% increase compared to 2026. Planned actions include the ongoing modernisation of the Mediation, Arbitration, and Conciliation Service (SEMAC), with nearly 800,000 euros allocated for advancing its digitalisation and telematic service provision.
