The Canary Islands are strengthening ties with the Czech tourism sector as part of its strategy to diversify visitor markets and attract higher-value travellers to the islands.
The initiative includes a trade fair being held in Prague and Brno in collaboration with tour operator Canaria Travel. The event was opened in Prague by the Canary Islands’ Minister for Tourism and Employment, Jéssica de León.
Representatives from La Palma, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife are attending alongside a dozen tourism companies from the archipelago. Meetings are being held with Czech travel agencies, tour operators and tourism professionals specialising in sectors including family holidays, nature and active tourism, cultural and gastronomic travel, LGTBIQ+ tourism and premium experiences.
De León said Czech visitors are particularly interested in “authentic experiences” and tend to explore the islands independently, with hiking and outdoor activities especially popular.
Czech tourism to the Canary Islands reached a record high in 2024, with 165,000 visitors. Tenerife received the largest share at 52.6%, followed by Fuerteventura with 20.7%, Gran Canaria with 16%, Lanzarote with 10%, and La Palma with 0.48%.
According to the Regional Ministry, the Czech economy is currently benefiting from lower inflation, low unemployment and a stable currency, encouraging more overseas travel, particularly to warm winter destinations such as the Canary Islands.
Czech tourists visiting the islands are generally younger than the average visitor, with an average age of 39.5 compared with 47.5 overall. They also tend to book at shorter notice, with a third reserving trips less than a month before departure.
Visitors from the Czech Republic stay an average of 9.1 days and spend around €1,453 per trip. Around 26% travel with children, while 34% choose four-star accommodation.
The market is also noted for its high levels of independent exploration, with 70% travelling around the islands on their own, compared with an average of 49%. Hiking is popular among 48% of Czech visitors, while 28% visit leisure parks.
Satisfaction levels are also high, with Czech tourists rating their Canary Islands holidays at 8.95 out of 10. Some 61% said their experience was better than expected.
Alongside the trade fair, officials from Turismo de Islas Canarias are also holding meetings with representatives from the Czech Ministry of Regional Development, the Czech National Tourist Board, Prague City Tourism and the Association of Czech Travel Agencies to discuss future cooperation strategies.
The event includes audiovisual presentations, wine tastings, Canarian food experiences and promotional prize draws aimed at increasing awareness of the islands among Czech travel professionals.
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