Global economic crisis has negative impact on tourism sector of Spain. It was observed significant decrease in number of foreign tourist arrivals to Canary Islands in 2009. However later Canary Islands have better outcomes of tourism arrivals than whole Spain during longer period. The aim of the article was finding the answer to a question: If it the changes in number of tourist arrivals were significantly connected with the GDP growth rates in countries, from which tourists are coming to Canary Islands? The second aim is a trial of finding the answer: if Canary Islands have smaller decrease in number of foreign tourists arrivals that Spain during longer period due tourism policy and promotion? It was assumed that the GDP growth rates of countries from which tourist are coming to analysed destination is correlating with the GDP growth rate. It was also assumed that in countries from which GDP growth was recorded there was increase in tourist arrivals to Canary Islands. And there is a possibility that Canary Islands registered smaller decrease in number of tourist arrivals during global economic crisis comparing to Spain because of adequate tourism policy and tourism promotion.