Operation Hondius has had "minimal impact on cancellations of holidays" to Tenerife
The evacuation of passengers from the MV Hondius in the port of Granadilla de Abona has had only a “minimal impact” on holiday bookings, according to the island’s leading hotel association.
Pablo González, manager of Ashotel (Asociación Hotelera y Extrahotelera de Tenerife), said the large-scale health operation has not led to significant cancellations or widespread disruption to holiday reservations.
“From a tourism perspective, the impact has been minimal in terms of cancellations or booking withdrawals,” González stated.
“Situation under control”
He stressed that the arrival of the cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, was handled in a “professional, technical and healthcare-controlled manner”.
That message of reassurance, he said, was clearly communicated to tour operators and to visitors planning trips to the Canary Islands during this period.
While acknowledging there had been a handful of isolated cancellations, González described them as “anecdotal” and confirmed that there had been no mass withdrawals.
He added that the episode could ultimately reinforce confidence in the islands’ ability to manage complex situations effectively.
Positive long-term image boost
Jorge Marichal, president of Ashotel, echoed those sentiments. He suggested that although the situation may initially have raised concerns, the professional handling of the crisis could benefit the Canary Islands’ reputation in the medium to long term.
“I believe that, over time, this will have positive returns for the tourist image of the Canary Islands,” he said.
Marichal highlighted what he described as a strong and well-coordinated healthcare response, something he noted had not been possible in other ports visited by the vessel.
Rather than damaging the islands’ image, he argued, the operation has reaffirmed the archipelago as a high-quality destination where healthcare standards and sanitary safety are “of the highest European and international level”.
For Tenerife’s tourism sector, the message is clear: business continues as normal.
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