TORONTO — Direct lift makes all the difference, and that could be what puts the Canary Islands on the map for Canadian travellers starting this fall.

Not that the Spanish sun destination doesn’t have plenty of other selling points. Toronto area travel advisors gathered at Arcadia Earth last night to hear about the islands’ beautiful weather, glorious food, spectacular volcanic landscapes and more.

“I think most Canadian travel agents don’t know us yet,” Juan Francisco Hiemenz de la Torre told Travelweek with a smile. 

That’s about to change. The Spanish archipelago – with islands including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro – has plenty of draws for Canadian visitors.

DIRECT FLIGHTS WITH AIR CANADA & TRANSAT FROM YYZ, YUL

Hiemenz de la Torre, who’s heading up the Canary Islands Tourism delegation for this Canadian visit, offered up key talking points for advisors looking to share this new destination with clients.

First up: those direct routes. Air Canada’s service to Tenerife starts in November, with two flights a week from Montreal and two flights a week from Toronto. The following month, in December, Air Transat is launching Gran Canaria flights, also from Montreal and Toronto.

Both routes are brand new. Hiemenz de la Torre says Air Canada recently announced it will keep the Montreal-Tenerife service operating through summer 2027. 

“That’s very encouraging because it means we’re moving beyond being just a winter destination for Canadians,” he said. “Initially the operation was smaller, but demand has been strong enough to support additional flights and now summer service as well. That’s a very positive sign for the Canadian market.”

The combination of the Air Canada flights to TFS, and Air Transat’s service to LPA, adds up to a game-changer for the Canary Islands from the Canadian market – and a lot of seats. “Yes, absolutely. And from what I’ve heard, the flights are selling very well,” said Hiemenz de la Torre.

Air Canada says the addition of Tenerife reflects the airline’s ambition to offer an exceptional and diversified array of unique destinations. Air Canada’s Manager, Global Accounts, Matthew Djorsev, was on hand at yesterday’s event. 

Laura Albrow, Account Manager, Air Transat, said the Canary Islands are Transat’s fifth destination in Spain. “We’ve made a conscious effort to introduce destinations that give travellers different options, whether they’re visiting family, taking a vacation or looking for a completely new experience,” she told Travelweek. “We’re the only airline offering direct service to Las Palmas [Gran Canaria] from Canada. We look for destinations that are underserved but have so much to offer. We’re expecting people to be really excited about this new service.”

Asked about year-round service, Albrow said time will tell. “This is a destination that hasn’t been tried before, so we’re introducing it seasonally to see how it performs. At the same time, we can still serve the destination year-round through our connecting partners. We’ve taken this approach with several new destinations, like Türkiye. We started with seasonal service, and then, when we saw the demand, we expanded to year-round operations. If the Canary Islands perform as well as we expect, we’ll certainly look at what comes next.”

Packages are available through ACV and Transat as well.

GLORIOUS WEATHER & SAFE TRAVELS

Another selling point: the weather. The Canary Islands is said to have one of the best climates. “We have year-round average temperatures of around 24°C. It’s like spring all year long,” says Hiemenz de la Torre. “We’re not simply a substitute for the Caribbean. The Caribbean is warm and humid, while our climate is much more comfortable.” Not even a mosquito, adds Hiemenz de la Torre. Now that’s a selling point for Canadians.

The Spanish archipelago’s people are also a draw. “I always say that the Canary Islands stand with their feet in Africa, their head in Europe and their heart in the Americas,” he says. “We have European standards and European living conditions, but our history and culture are very closely linked to the Americas. Everything is accessible, and visitors can travel around in a safe environment.”

What else? The most important thing about the Canary Islands is that visitors can get out and explore. 

“There’s so much more to the destination than sun and beaches. We have stunning natural landscapes. All the islands are volcanic in origin, and you’ll find lush forests, sand dunes, volcanoes, cliffs and dramatic rock formations. There are beautiful little villages to discover. There are also plenty of museums, attractions and restaurants, including Michelin-recognized dining experiences. And, of course, we have our guachinches, which are wonderful simple local restaurants!”

“WE THINK OF THEM AS FRIENDS AND FAMILY”

Last night’s event gave advisors the opportunity to meet face-to-face with more than 20 tourism partners from across the Canary Islands, including hotels, hotel groups, DMCs and tourism boards. The evening also included an Experiencia Gastronómica, an immersive culinary journey hosted by a Canarian chef and sommelier.

Hiemenz de la Torre shared the Canary Islands’ message to Canadian travel advisors: “The Canary Islands are a wonderful new alternative to traditional vacation destinations for Canadians.

We offer a stunning variety of experiences, beautiful landscapes, an exceptional climate and warm, welcoming people. There’s so much to discover, whether your clients are looking for beaches, nature, gastronomy, culture or outdoor adventures.

One of the most important things about the Canary Islands is the destination’s hospitality, he added. “We don’t like to think of the people who come here as tourists. We think of them as friends and family. That’s how we want Canadians to feel when they come here.”

More information is at HelloCanaryIslands.com.

Lead image caption: Juan Francisco Hiemenz de la Torre, Canary Islands Tourism