The visit of Pope Leo XIV to Santa Cruz de Tenerife last June 12 not only brought together tens of thousands of faithful, but also left a significant economic impact on the island. A study commissioned by the City Council of the Tenerife capital puts the benefits generated by the event at 5.71 million euros, driven mainly by hospitality, accommodation, transport and commerce.
The report, prepared by the Sociedad de Desarrollo based on 961 surveys conducted among attendees and residents in Tenerife, calculates a direct economic impact of 3.04 million euros, to which are added 1.35 million of indirect impact and 1.32 million of induced impact. In total, the celebration mobilized around 47,600 people for the mass presided over by the Pontiff in the port of Santa Cruz.
A mobilization of faithful arriving from within and outside the island
The study indicates that 89.4 % of attendees traveled specifically to Santa Cruz for the papal visit. Most of the public attended as general attendees (88 %), while 8 % did so as pilgrims or as part of a religious group.
The predominant profile was that of a woman between 45 and 64 years old. Although 92 % of participants resided in Tenerife—mainly in Santa Cruz and La Laguna—visitors also arrived from other islands, different autonomous communities and countries such as Germany, Colombia and Venezuela.
Only 13 % of attendees stayed overnight outside their usual residence. Of these, seven out of ten chose accommodations located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The most common option was staying in the homes of family or friends, followed by four- and five-star hotels.
Regarding travel, 41 % of attendees walked to the celebration site, 28 % used the bus, 17 % the tram and 15 % a private vehicle. Among those who traveled from outside Tenerife, 90 % arrived by air.
Hospitality, accommodation and transport concentrated the highest spending
Each attendee spent an average of 79.63 euros, of which 63.88 euros were spent in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 15.76 euros in other municipalities on the island.
The restaurant sector benefited the most, with a business volume of 1.11 million euros. It was followed by accommodation, with 714,494 euros; transport to the island, with 564,548 euros; and non-food purchases, which reached 327,750 euros.
The study adds that for every euro of direct spending by attendees, an additional 0.88 euros were generated in the local economy thanks to indirect and induced effects, highlighting the multiplier effect that the papal visit had on economic activity.
A projection that transcends the religious sphere
In addition to its economic impact, the report highlights the social and media impact of the event. 94 % of Tenerife residents followed the Pope’s arrival or the celebration of the mass on television, while the organization received ratings above “good” in aspects such as security, cleanliness and the overall development of the event.
Among the main benefits perceived by respondents, media projection and the international prestige of Santa Cruz de Tenerife stand out, cited by 43.5 % of participants. This is followed by social cohesion (23.6 %), economic impact (20.1 %) and the boost to the city’s tourist image.
The study concludes that the visit of Leo XIV left a mark that went beyond the strictly religious sphere, generating a positive effect both on the local economy and on the external projection of the Tenerife capital.