SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Nov. 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The national carrier LOT Polish Airlines will commence its services between Warsaw and Tenerife this Wednesday, operating through the Tenerife South airport, with a schedule of three flights per week – on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays – throughout the winter season, extending until the end of March.
The flights, which have an estimated duration of six hours, will be conducted using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, accommodating up to 189 passengers and featuring ‘business class’ seating.
The Vice President and Tourism Councillor of the Cabildo, Lope Afonso, noted in a statement that a “significant advancement” has been made in the efforts undertaken by the Cabildo to enhance air connectivity in Tenerife, which is crucial for establishing the island as an “appealing and competitive” tourist destination.
Afonso underscored that “this new route significantly enhances connectivity with the Polish market, which has seen considerable growth in Tenerife in recent years, particularly during the winter months.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the status of LOT Polish Airlines as “a Polish national airline, which reinforces the strategy of attracting visitors with higher spending capacity, alongside the introduction of a new direct route that makes us an island that is increasingly well-connected.”
For Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tenerife Tourism, this new service “is a positive development for the island, fortifying the connectivity strategy that we have been implementing at Tenerife Tourism, whose primary aim is to secure direct routes linking Tenerife with major flag carriers that offer business classes and modern fleets, thereby enhancing sustainable mobility as a central component of the entity’s Strategic Plan.”
Melwani also emphasised the significance of this new route, “as it improves links with Poland, a market that has been expanding for the island in recent years, particularly in the winter season.”
Prior to the inaugural flight, Tenerife Tourism executed a promotional campaign for the island last week in Warsaw, where representatives from the tourism entity showcased the destination’s attractions to approximately thirty travel agents and members of the specialised press, supported by Turespaña.
The island’s tourist strategy in Poland focuses on promoting awareness of Tenerife’s diversity, including aspects such as its natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural heritage, traditions, cuisine, and the various experiences available at the destination.
POLISH MARKET IN TENERIFE
Tenerife stands as the primary Canary Islands destination for air traffic from Poland, as well as having the highest share of the Polish tourism market in hotels and apartments.
In 2023, Tenerife recorded nearly 45.7% of air traffic share and 35.3% of accommodation share in hotels and apartments from this source. By October 2024, these percentages have risen to 50% for air traffic and 38% for accommodation.
In 2023, 104,646 Polish visitors stayed in hotels and apartments in Tenerife, marking the largest figure in the historical records available.
Indeed, the number of travellers increased by 14.7% last year, with Tenerife being the primary destination within the archipelago (holding a 35.3% share).
For the period culminating in October 2024, 117,893 Polish nationals were accommodated on the island, surpassing the total figures for the entire year of 2023 within just ten months.
Comparatively, the year-on-year increase until October stands at 36%, translating into a share of 38% across the Canary Islands, with Tenerife experiencing the most significant growth.
