The eight main islands that make up the Canary Islands—El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa—are having a moment. However, these exotic islands are still relatively unknown and mysterious to many, despite luxury hotel brands like Alua Hotels & Resorts from the AMR Collection expanding their footprint to call the Canary Islands home. Recently, we asked Antonio González, SVP Commercial & Marketing AMResorts Europa, for an introduction. Here’s what we learned.
A sunny Spanish archipelago
While officially a Spanish territory, the Canary Islands sit in the Atlantic Ocean, just off northwest Africa, close to the coasts of southern Morocco and northern Western Sahara. “They are without doubt one of the world's most popular tourist destinations for those seeking a sun, sea, and sand holiday at any time of the year,” says González. “The islands have a great biological diversity and an impressive wealth of landscape and geology.” They also have a great climate, four national parks, and several UNESCO biosphere reserves. In 2019, the islands welcomed more than 13 million visitors, with an emphasis on European travelers and a growing U.S. market.
Eight islands with distinct personalities
Each of the Canary Islands is a volcanic wonder jutting out of the ocean, but each also has its own identity. González describes Tenerife, the largest island with the highest mountain in Spain, as a wonderful mix of cosmopolitan cities, spectacular beaches, and protected landscapes. Gran Canaria is similar, but with massive, picturesque sand dunes. For those seeking an unspoiled environment, González compares Lanzarote to the planet Mars— saying it’s all, “volcanic cones and golden beaches.”
Fuerteventura is a favorite destination for windsurfers and kitesurfers, thanks to the windy conditions, white sand, and turquoise waters. And the remaining islands are smaller and special in their own ways: La Palma is known as "La Isla Bonita" (the beautiful island) because of its pristine natural environment; La Gomera has endless hiking trails through rainforests, mountains, and palm groves; and El Hierro has lots of undeveloped land and a rocky coastline ideal for diving.
A year-round sub-tropical destination
While González says that a mild climate and abundant sunshine make the Canary Islands a year-round destination, autumn and winter are the high seasons for tourism. “That’s when the cold arrives on the European continent and temperatures in the Canaries do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius [68 degrees Fahrenheit].”
Growing luxury options for travelers seeking great service and style
After pioneering the all-inclusive model in the Caribbean, AMResorts has moved the model to the Canary Islands. González says they were drawn by tourists with high purchasing power looking for personalized service, attention to detail, good gastronomy, and the appeal of a top-quality pool, spa, and fitness facilities. “We have different brands associated with different hotels and travel experiences,” he says, of AMResorts’ seven properties in the Canary Islands. “These include our 5-star brands: Secrets, for adults and couples looking for a romantic experience; Dreams, designed for family holidays; and Zoëtry, for those who prefer a more boutique and even more luxurious and sophisticated experience. As for our brand in the 4-star segment, Alua offers our clients tailor-made experiences in Spain's main holiday destinations and, in this category, we have launched the AluaSoul adults-only concept.”
A commitment to staying safe and moving forward
As isolated environments with high rates of vaccination, the Canary Islands are promoting themselves as a safe destination, where many popular activities can be enjoyed al fresco. Everyone is doing their part to help the important tourism sector recover from the effects of the pandemic. AMResorts has implemented the “Clean Complete Verification program” which González refers to as a 360-degree initiative to provide a safe and comfortable experience for guests, employees, and partners.
The bottom line
When asked to sum up the Canary Islands' uniqueness, González describes them as a natural paradise. “It has one of the healthiest climates, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year,” he says. That unique natural environment meets proximity to Africa and cultural richness, a melding of traditions, gastronomy, and influences. “You can travel from island to island and feel that you are in a different archipelago without leaving its waters,” says González. “And that, in addition to its wonderful beaches and nature, make the Canary Islands special.”
Originally appeared in the winter 2021 issue of The Compass Magazine.
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