Tourism up by 20% so far in 2011

The Canary Islands have received, according to recent data released by Frontur, 5.8 million international tourists over the first seven months of this year (2011), representing a rise of 20.2% over the same period last year (2010). Looking at data from last month (July 2011) the Canaries received a total of 833,804 foreigners, representing a year on year increase of 19.7%, the highest increase recorded in Spain. All foreign markets saw improved figures compared to July 2010, especially the United Kingdom, Germany and Europe. There has also been a 40.2% increase in the use of the package holidays.

In a National breakdown by markets, Britain remains the largest, with more than 7.6 million tourists so far this year, an increase of 9.1% over the first seven months compared to 2010. Following is Germany, with 5,036,354 visitors, although in this case the record is 1.4% lower than the same period of previous year. Third is France, who contributed about 4.9 million, up 3.1% in the seventh month of 2010, despite losing 1.6% compared to records in May earlier this year.

Tenerife, with 378,740 tourists was the most visited island, with a rise of 15.92% over July of last year (2010). As for the entire year of 2011 so far, the island received 2,166,849 tourists, an annual rise of 4.24%.