“There’s an island for everyone”: Canary Islands gear up for new Canada flights

The Canary Islands took over Arcadia Earth in Toronto on Wednesday night (Oct. 7), showcasing the destination with images of the archipelago projected across the venue’s walls and floors. 

Juan Francisco Hiemenz de la Torre, trade shows and events manager at Promotur Turismo Canarias, told PAX that turnout exceeded expectations, with more than 100 travel advisors and trade suppliers in attendance.

Organized by Turismo de Islas Canarias (Canary Islands Tourism) with the Tourist Office of Spain in Toronto, “Landscapes of Identity – Canada Meets the Canary Islands” brought together more than 20 accommodation properties and destination organizations, including tourism representatives from Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

The evening also featured an Experiencia Gastronómica of passed Canarian tastings, wines from all three islands and live Canarian music.

Jessica de León Verdugo, minister of tourism for the Government of the Canary Islands, highlighted what the destination offers Canadian travellers.

“We are eight islands, eight different paradises with varied landscapes and varied offerings, but with the same heart,” she told PAX.

“We want Canadian travellers to discover the Canary Islands as a safe and authentic destination, a place where they can enjoy nature, relax and have wonderful experiences at any time of the year.”

Nonstop flights on the way

Canadians will soon be able to fly nonstop to the Canary Islands, with Air Canada and Air Transat both launching service from Toronto and Montreal this fall and winter.

Air Canada will launch service to Tenerife South from Toronto on Oct. 25, with two flights per week, followed by Montreal on Oct. 31.

Montreal service will initially operate weekly before increasing to twice weekly in February and March.

Toronto departures continue through April 29, 2027, while Montreal service will extend into summer, becoming year-round.

Transat’s weekly flights to Gran Canaria begin Dec. 12 from Montreal and Dec. 13 from Toronto, with departures continuing through April 3 and April 4 respectively.

“I'm very proud and very happy to be able to say that the Canary Islands are going to get considerably closer to Canada," said Isabel Martín, director of the Tourist Office of Spain in Canada. 

"I'm very grateful to the government of the Canary Islands and the eight islands, and I hope this is only the beginning of a very beautiful relationship.”

Islands with a different feel

Tenerife, where Air Canada will land, is the largest and most varied. 

The south, including Costa Adeje, is the main resort area, while Teide National Park, whale watching and historic towns offer more for clients who want to get beyond the beach.

Gran Canaria, Transat’s gateway, pairs the beaches and dunes of Maspalomas with the historic Vegueta district in Las Palmas and mountain scenery around Roque Nublo.

Lanzarote is known for its volcanic landscape, vineyards and light-sand beaches, while Fuerteventura is the go-to for long beaches and watersports.

The smaller islands, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, are quieter options for hiking, nature and stargazing, and work well as add-ons to a Tenerife stay.

The destination noted that Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the best sellers for beach and resort clients, and are the two islands getting the new nonstop flights.

Promotur’s Hiemenz encouraged travel advisors to sell the Canary Islands on their own terms.

“It is not a substitute to the Caribbean,” he said.

Mild weather was a key selling point, with Tenerife Tourism citing an annual average of 23C for year-round outdoor activities, depending on location and elevation.

Hiemenz recommended approximately 10 days for a beach holiday and two weeks for exploration or island hopping, with advance booking for winter.

Leticia González, from Canary Islands Tourism’s fairs and events team, described the destination’s European, African and Latin American influences as “three continents in one trip.”

Exhibitors share their take

PAX had the opportunity to meet with a few exhibitors and hear how they are approaching the Canadian market. 

For some, it is brand new.

“We are very excited to open the Canadian market, because we have never worked this market,” said Ane Ugarte, sales and marketing director at Bahía del Duque.

She highlighted the family-owned hotel’s Canarian village design, historical architecture and traditional staff clothing, calling it “a perfect place for multigenerational holidays.”

Pablo Guillén, commercial manager at LIVVO Hotel Group, told PAX that many of the advisors he met were unfamiliar with the islands, and conversations often started with questions about all-inclusive options.

“We try to present not only a product, but also the destination itself,” he said.

LIVVO’s portfolio spans three- to five-star hotels, apartments, all-inclusive properties and adults-only and family options, including accommodation with kitchens for stays of one to three months.

GF Hotels’ Sandra M. Herrera García presented four-star and luxury options in Costa Adeje for families and adults seeking beach proximity. 

She reported some early reservations and highlighted the group’s advisor portal.

For clients wanting more than one island, Camilla von Guggenberg, sales and marketing director for Hotel Jardín Tecina and Tecina Golf, suggested combining Tenerife with La Gomera, potentially adding La Palma. 

She highlighted hiking, nature and relaxation, with Fred. Olsen Express providing island connections.

González’s advice was to start with the traveller.

“It all depends on what (they) are looking for. There’s an island for everyone.”

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