Corporate trips to the Canary Islands — the best islands, highlights and group activities

Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura offer entirely different experiences, so the destination can be matched to the purpose of the trip, the character of the team and the available budget.

A corporate trip to the Canary Islands can be a reward for results, an incentive trip, a team integration event or a prestigious occasion for clients and business partners. The programme can include a catamaran cruise, volcano sightseeing, stargazing, cooking workshops, water sports, dinner on the beach and off-road excursions.

As part of its corporate and incentive travel, Elite Travel designs programmes matched to the number of participants, the expected standard, the dates and the business purpose of the trip.

Why are the Canary Islands a good corporate travel destination?

The archipelago offers conditions that allow trips to be organised all year round. That makes the Canary Islands an attractive alternative to mainland European destinations, particularly in autumn, winter and early spring.

Each of the main islands has a different character: Tenerife combines well-developed infrastructure with volcanic landscapes, Gran Canaria offers conference hotels, dunes and a varied interior, Lanzarote stands out for its raw nature, art and vineyards, and Fuerteventura is a good choice for groups focused on beaches and water sports.

The main advantages of a corporate trip to the Canary Islands are:

• the ability to run a trip all year round,
• hotels across different standards,
• well-developed tourist infrastructure,
• a wide choice of outdoor activities,
• distinctive volcanic landscapes,
• the option of cruises and water sports,
• programmes suited to varying fitness levels,
• local food and vineyards,
• spaces for meetings and events,
• the option of a premium programme.

An incentive trip to the Canary Islands

An incentive trip to the Canary Islands can reward top performers, sales contest winners, key partners or company clients. The combination of an exotic landscape with European organisational standards makes the destination appealing and, at the same time, predictable in logistical terms.

Unlike an ordinary team outing, incentive travel has a clearly defined business objective. That may be increasing motivation, recognising results, strengthening relationships or building engagement around the brand.

You can find more about such programmes in our article on what incentive travel is and why it works.

An effective programme should include:

• an attractive, well-communicated reward,
• elements unavailable to an ordinary tourist,
• shared experiences,
• time to rest,
• a culminating event,
• a consistent standard of service,
• smooth logistics,
• an on-site coordinator.

Tenerife — the most versatile island for corporate groups

Tenerife is the largest island in the archipelago and offers one of the most varied programmes. Here you can combine a resort stay, volcanic sightseeing, an ocean cruise, trekking, golf, local cuisine and stargazing.

Thanks to its extensive hotel base, Tenerife works both for an intimate incentive trip for the board and for a larger team integration event.

Teide National Park — the volcanic heart of Tenerife

Tenerife's most important attraction is Teide National Park. Volcanic plains, rock formations, lava fields and high viewpoints create a landscape that resembles another planet.

Access to selected trails leading towards the summit requires advance booking, and cable car operation depends on the weather among other factors. These points need to be built into the programme. The official Teide guide describes the available viewpoints and the rules for accessing trails in the upper reaches of the volcano.

A group programme can include:

• a scenic drive,
• a park visit with a local guide,
• a cable car ascent,
• a walk on an easier trail,
• lunch surrounded by volcanic landscape,
• a photo session,
• sunset and stargazing.

Stargazing on Tenerife

The high-altitude area around Teide offers excellent conditions for observing the night sky. An astronomy evening can become one of the most memorable parts of a corporate trip.

The area around Las Cañadas del Teide is recognised as suitable for stargazing all year round, and its high-altitude viewpoints limit the impact of urban lighting. A detailed description is available on the official Canary Islands tourism site.

The activity may include:

• travelling into the park before sunset,
• dinner or refreshments,
• watching the landscape change colour,
• a session with an astronomy guide,
• the use of telescopes,
• identifying constellations,
• night sky photography.

Cruises and whale and dolphin watching

The Tenerife coastline makes it possible to organise cruises combined with whale and dolphin watching. For a corporate group you can book a private catamaran or yacht, allowing greater freedom in shaping the programme.

Tenerife offers many departure points for such cruises, as set out in the official catalogue of whale and dolphin watching. The programme should be run in line with the principles of responsible wildlife watching.

A cruise may include:

• welcoming participants on board,
• catering and drinks,
• watching animals in their natural environment,
• a stop in a bay,
• swimming in the ocean,
• snorkelling,
• music and time together,
• sunset.

Gran Canaria — a corporate trip combining beaches, mountains and events

Gran Canaria makes it possible to build a highly varied programme. The south of the island offers extensive hotel infrastructure, beaches and leisure areas, while the interior invites scenic excursions and outdoor activities.

It is a destination for companies that want to combine:

• business meetings,
• time at the resort,
• sightseeing,
• active team building,
• a programme by the ocean,
• an evening corporate event.

The Maspalomas dunes — a desert landscape by the ocean

The Maspalomas dunes reserve is one of the most recognisable places on Gran Canaria. The protected area includes shifting dunes, a beach, a palm grove and a lagoon, creating a landscape that joins desert and ocean. The official Maspalomas guide describes the reserve as a complex of several distinct ecosystems.

Because the site is protected, activities should take place only in permitted zones and in line with local rules.

For a corporate group you can arrange:

• a walk along a designated route,
• a visit with a nature guide,
• photography workshops,
• a team game near the reserve,
• dinner at a nearby resort,
• watching the sunset.

Las Palmas — culture, food and a corporate city break

The capital of Gran Canaria can provide the urban element of a programme. The historic Vegueta district, local markets, restaurants and the seafront promenade make it possible to combine sightseeing with team building.

Las Palmas also works as the setting for a short business meeting or a dinner closing the trip.

The programme may include:

• a walk through the historic district,
• a city game,
• a visit to a local market,
• a tasting of Canarian produce,
• cooking workshops,
• lunch at a restaurant by the ocean,
• time on Las Canteras beach.

An excursion into the interior of Gran Canaria

The interior of Gran Canaria is quite different from the tourist south. Mountain roads, viewpoints and small villages allow a programme built around discovering the region's local character.

It is a good way to make sure a corporate trip to Gran Canaria is not limited to a stay at the resort.

For groups you can organise:

• an off-road excursion,
• a scenic drive,
• guided trekking,
• a visit to a mountain village,
• a tasting of local cheeses and wines,
• lunch at a traditional restaurant,
• photography or team challenges.

Lanzarote — an incentive trip among volcanoes, art and vineyards

Lanzarote stands out for its raw landscape, coherent architecture and an exceptional blend of art and nature. The island suits a more intimate incentive trip, a programme for the board or a journey for key clients.

Lanzarote's greatest strength is the ability to build a programme very different from a classic leisure stay.

Timanfaya National Park — a landscape shaped by volcanoes

Timanfaya is Lanzarote's most important natural attraction. The park covers more than 5,000 hectares of volcanoes and lava fields formed by historic eruptions. The landscape has remained largely untouched, as the official description of Timanfaya National Park emphasises.

It is an attraction that works well as the centrepiece of an incentive trip to Lanzarote.

A group programme may include:

• a drive along the volcano route,
• a visit to the interpretation centre,
• a geothermal demonstration,
• a guided visit,
• photo stops,
• lunch inspired by local cuisine,
• an excursion around the south of the island.

Jameos del Agua — art built into a volcanic landscape

Jameos del Agua is an exceptional space created within a system of volcanic tunnels. César Manrique's artistic intervention brought together a natural cave, an underground lake, architecture and an auditorium.

The site shows participants how local art works with the island's landscape. Jameos del Agua can be combined with a visit to Cueva de los Verdes, Mirador del Río or other Manrique works.

The official guide to Lanzarote's key attractions describes Jameos del Agua and the nearby caves as among the most interesting places on the island.

La Geria — wine tasting in a volcanic landscape

La Geria is a wine region where vines are grown in hollows dug into black volcanic soil. The plants are sheltered from the wind by low stone walls, creating a distinctive landscape.

It is a proposition particularly well suited to senior management, key clients and incentive programme participants. The distinctive growing methods and the region's wines are described in the official Lanzarote guide.

For a corporate group you can organise:

• a private winery visit,
• a meeting with a local producer,
• a wine tasting,
• aroma recognition workshops,
• lunch with wine pairing,
• dinner among the vineyards,
• a team contest built around local flavours.

Fuerteventura — a corporate trip for active groups

Fuerteventura is known for its vast beaches, open spaces and conditions that favour water sports. The island's official tourism site lists more than 150 kilometres of beaches and a wide choice of ocean activities.

It is a good destination for teams that prefer active team building and a lighter sightseeing programme.

Water sports and surfing on Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura makes it possible to build a programme covering activities at different difficulty levels.

Sessions should be run under instructor supervision, and groups divided by experience. For those who do not want to take part in water sports, an alternative beach, wellness or sightseeing programme can be arranged.

Options include:

• surfing lessons,
• windsurfing,
• kitesurfing,
• stand-up paddleboarding,
• kayaking,
• snorkelling,
• a catamaran cruise,
• a boat excursion,
• team contests on the beach.

The Corralejo dunes and Lobos island

The north of Fuerteventura makes it possible to combine a visit to the dunes with a cruise towards the small island of Lobos.

It makes a good full-day team programme bringing together nature, the ocean and time spent together.

The programme may include:

• a walk in a desert landscape,
• a scenic drive,
• a boat or catamaran cruise,
• snorkelling,
• lunch on board,
• photography activities,
• time on the beach,
• sunset.

The best group activities in the Canary Islands

A trip programme should make use of the landscape and character of the chosen island. Rather than generic activities, it is worth choosing experiences that cannot easily be repeated elsewhere.

Activities can be combined into a multi-day programme while keeping time for rest and for using the hotel's facilities individually.

The most interesting group activities include:

• a private catamaran cruise,
• whale and dolphin watching,
• an astronomy evening,
• trekking across volcanic terrain,
• an off-road excursion,
• surfing workshops,
• beach contests,
• a wine tasting,
• Canarian cooking workshops,
• an outdoor team game,
• golf,
• dinner in a private space,
• a concert or a performance by local artists,
• a poolside event,
• a sunset cruise.

Team building in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands create natural conditions for outdoor team building. A programme can develop cooperation, communication and creativity without putting excessive pressure on participants.

The programme should be matched to participants' fitness levels, with alternatives for those who do not want to take part in more demanding activities.

Team building ideas:

• a team regatta,
• raft building,
• an outdoor game in a volcanic landscape,
• a photography challenge,
• a corporate beach tournament,
• a surfing lesson,
• team cooking workshops,
• a blind tasting,
• a points hunt during an off-road expedition,
• an awards ceremony,
• a joint environmental initiative.

Hotels and resorts for corporate groups

The Canary Islands offer leisure hotels, all-inclusive resorts, conference venues and properties suited to smaller groups.

The hotel's location should follow from the programme. A resort in the south of Tenerife suits groups using cruises and beaches, while a programme focused on the north of the island may require a different base.

When choosing a hotel it is worth considering:

• the distance from the airport,
• the number and standard of rooms,
• the availability of conference rooms,
• restaurants and shared spaces,
• the option of a private dinner,
• the pool area,
• spa and wellness,
• beach access,
• the standard of group service,
• the logistics of daily excursions.

When to organise a corporate trip to the Canary Islands

The archipelago is a year-round destination, but the dates should be matched to the purpose of the trip and the planned activities.

Autumn, winter and spring are particularly interesting for companies looking for sunshine outside the mainland European season. Summer can be a good time for groups focused on water sports, relaxation and evening events.

When planning, you need to take into account:

• the availability of flight connections,
• hotel prices,
• local events,
• conditions for the chosen activities,
• the company calendar,
• public holidays and peak periods,
• the microclimate of the chosen part of the island.

How to choose the right Canary Island for your company

The choice should follow from the profile of the group and the purpose of the trip. Combining two islands is also possible, but it requires enough time and additional logistics. On a shorter trip it is better to focus on a single destination.

• Tenerife — best for groups expecting a varied programme, good infrastructure and a wide choice of attractions;
• Gran Canaria — suited to programmes combining a resort, sightseeing, events and outdoor activities;
• Lanzarote — ideal for an intimate incentive trip, a board trip or clients interested in design, wine and nature;
• Fuerteventura — best for active groups, water sports, beaches and more relaxed team building.

How much does a corporate trip to the Canary Islands cost?

A trip can be prepared in a comfort, premium or VIP format. Rather than a fixed package, it is worth building a programme where most of the budget goes to the elements that matter most to participants. Specific price ranges for each type of trip can be found in our corporate trips offer.

The cost of the programme depends on:

• the chosen island,
• the dates,
• the number of participants,
• the length of stay,
• the hotel standard,
• the catering arrangement,
• flight connections,
• the number of transfers,
• the scope of excursions,
• how private the activities are,
• the evening programme,
• the on-site coordinator.

Elite Travel — organiser of corporate trips to the Canary Islands

Elite Travel prepares corporate trips to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Every programme is designed individually, based on the business objective, the number of participants, the dates and the budget.

You can find more about our experience and the way we work on the about Elite Travel page.

The scope of organisation may include:

• choosing the island,
• preparing the trip concept,
• flights,
• private transfers,
• the hotel and catering,
• cruises,
• sightseeing,
• team-building activities,
• local guides,
• evening events,
• trip branding,
• insurance,
• an on-site coordinator,
• 24/7 support.

Plan your corporate trip to the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands allow you to build a programme combining team building, motivation, relaxation and memorable experiences. The key is choosing the island that matches the character of the group and keeping the right balance between activities and rest.

If you are planning an incentive trip to Tenerife, team building on Gran Canaria, a client trip to Lanzarote or an active trip to Fuerteventura, get in touch with Elite Travel. We will prepare a proposal matched to your objective, dates and budget.