Anyone working in logistics knows that there are regions where the pace only picks up during specific campaigns, like Christmas, summer or Black Friday. In contrast, there areothers where there’s simply no rest. The Canary Islands are the perfect example of what it means when we say “it’s always peak season.” This is not only because of tourism figures, but due to the structural impact this constant demand has on the region’s supply chain.
In any case, to start with the first and most obvious factor, we need to look at tourism. In 2024, the Canary Islands welcomed over 18 million visitors, cementing their position as one of the most important destinations in Southern Europe. With stable weather, infrastructure tailored for international connectivity and a privileged location for European travelers, the archipelago has achieved something quite rare: consistent hotel occupancy throughout nearly the entire year, without the usual dips during what are traditionally considered low-season months.
The figures speak for themselves. According to data from the Canary Islands Statistics Institute (ISTAC), the average occupancy rate in tourist accommodations across the islands hovers around 80%. While the winter months (December to March) see peaks above 85% due to an influx of tourists from Northern Europe, spring and autumn also show strong demand, driven by medium-haul travel, sports tourism, cultural getaways and increasingly, digital nomads.
This steady flow of tourists translates into an equally steady need for supplies. Hotels, restaurants, shops, recreational activities and tour operators all require a constant flow of products, from food and beverages to textiles, technical equipment, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
In addition to regular tourist activity, the Canary Islands host a steady and diverse calendar of events, fairs, local festivals, sports competitions and music gatherings spread throughout the year, further reinforcing the need for uninterrupted logistics:
- Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (February – March): One of the largest and most popular carnivals in Europe.
- Maspalomas Pride (May): A major event with significant impact, especially in southern Gran Canaria.
- Music and folklore festivals (June – July): Attracting both local and international crowds.
- Elite sporting events such as the World Rally Car, Tenerife Bluetrail, Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro and Ironman Lanzarote draw even more visitors year-round.
- Christmas, Epiphany and New Year’s celebrations: A peak period for both national and international tourism, with major spikes in consumption and distribution.
An economy heavily dependent on the logistical flow with mainland Spain
Beyond the demand driven by tourism, there is the reality of the Canarian market itself. Its unique geography, located 1,700 kilometers from mainland Spain and its status as an outermost region made up of seven main islands, make logistics an essential pillar of the archipelago’s economy. The vast majority of products consumed in the Canary Islands arrive by sea or air.
According to the latest data from the Canary Islands Statistics Institute, Canarian imports reached record levels in 2024, with a total value of €22.76 billion. Of that amount, €18.26 billion, more than 80%, came from the rest of Spain, highlighting the structural reliance on transportation to supply the population and sustain business activity.
“This reality has two direct consequences for logistics operators like us, who specialize in the Canary Islands: first, that the supply chain never stops, because restocking is a daily necessity. And second, that logistics must be extremely precise, since any failure or delay has an immediate impact on key sectors such as tourism, food, or healthcare,” explains Andreu Gutiérrez, Country Sales Director Road at Rhenus Logistics in Spain.
“Logistics in the Canary Islands operates 365 days a year. Tourism is a constant engine for the Canarian economy and the steady level of logistics activity indicates that consumption remains consistent throughout the year,” concludes Guillermo Montesdeoca, Branch Manager at Rhenus Logistics in Las Palmas.
What does constant demand mean in logistical terms?
- High turnover of goods across all sectors.
- Continuous restocking for retail, HoReCa and specialized commerce.
- Need for just-in-time deliveries and night-time distribution to avoid disrupting business hours.
- Daily coordination between maritime, air and land transport – both inter-island and with mainland Spain.
- Expert and agile customs management, adapted to the Canary Islands’ unique fiscal and customs framework.
Would you like to learn more about our structure and services in the Canary Islands? Or about the key factors that have made us the logistics partner of choice in the region? Feel free to reach out to our team of experts with any questions.