The tourism sector in southern Gran Canaria faces September with a scenario of moderation and signs of a slowdown in its activity, according to official data updated on August 10, 2026. After a summer with figures that were expected due to the presence of the mainland and domestic markets, forecasts for the beginning of autumn point to a deceleration, placing the destination behind its main competitor in the archipelago.
The most striking finding in the report is the occupancy forecast for September in southern Gran Canaria, which stands at 77,47%. This figure represents a significant decrease compared to previous months and, more importantly, places the destination behind Tenerife, which estimates an occupancy rate of 81,93% for the same period. This loss of leadership in occupancy is a warning sign for the tourism sector in southern Gran Canaria, which is witnessing its direct competitor maintain greater momentum as autumn approaches. Although an occupancy rate of 77,47% remains respectable, the gap with Tenerife (4,46 percentage points) and the downward trend in the estimates for October (80,76% for Gran Canaria versus 77,63% for Tenerife) suggest a shift in the balance of power in the Canary Islands tourism market.
Mallorca and the Costa del Sol, meanwhile, have considerably lower occupancy forecasts for September (75,27% and 70,63% respectively), which reinforces the Canary Islands' leading position as a top-tier holiday destination, but does not mask the relative weakness of southern Gran Canaria compared to Tenerife. Despite the slowdown in occupancy, southern Gran Canaria maintains a symbolic lead in terms of average customer ratings. According to official data, it achieves an average rating of 8,53, slightly surpassing Tenerife (8,41), Mallorca (8,54, slightly higher than Gran Canaria's in the table, although the official report states Gran Canaria's leadership; it is important to be precise with the source), and the Costa del Sol (8,24).
Analyzing the different aspects evaluated, we see that southern Gran Canaria excels in Cleanliness (8,89), Location (9,02), and Staff (9,14). However, it receives lower ratings in Comfort (8,85), Services (8,57), and especially in Value for Money (8,3). It is precisely this last point, the Value for Money, where southern Gran Canaria shows its greatest weakness compared to Tenerife (8,29), almost identical to Gran Canaria's (8,3). The difference is minimal. And, above all, compared to Mallorca (8,45). This perception among customers could be influencing the destination's loss of competitiveness against its rivals, especially in a context of greater price sensitivity. Official data for September 2026 confirm the slowdown in occupancy rates, and the mixed results in customer feedback, particularly regarding value for money, pose significant challenges for southern Gran Canaria.
