- Canary Islands forecast just over 18m visitors for 2026.
- International arrivals declined by 3.35pc in the second quarter.
- Tourist spending rose by 7.61pc.
- Costs rose by 25pc to 50pc compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Fodor’s placed the Canary Islands on its 2026 “No List”.
Canary Islands tourism businesses have forecast just over 18m visitors for 2026, slightly below the 2025 record. International arrivals declined by 3.35pc in the second quarter though tourist spending rose by 7.61pc. The sector has described the trend as a soft landing after strong post pandemic growth.
The Canary Islands experienced a softer tourism year in 2026 due to rising travel costs, economic pressures in key European markets like Germany and intentional local policies aimed at curbing overtourism. Accommodation and overall holiday costs rose significantly (up to 25pc to 50pc compared to pre-pandemic levels), leading to a noticeable drop in foreign visitor spending growth and a decline in specific markets like Germany. Local pushback against mass tourism, including protests in 2024, 2025 and mid-2026, prompted authorities to implement environmental access fees, higher airport charges and stricter short-term rental rules.
The archipelago recorded its first post-pandemic international visitor dips in spring 2026, with trade associations forecasting occupancy rates to stay below 90pc through the summer and autumn months. BBVA Research forecast that tourism growth in the Canary Islands would moderate to roughly 2.3pc for the year, pacing below other regions in Spain. Sector leaders projected a 2pc drop in total visitor numbers compared to the record-breaking figures of 2025. Industry analysts at Excelcan projected that the archipelago would close out the year with just over 18m tourists. During the peak summer month of July, hotels and holiday apartments billed roughly €507m.
This represents a 5.8pc revenue increase over the previous year, driven primarily by higher average accommodation rates. However, summer occupancy rates largely remained below the 90pc threshold, with July and August averaging around 80pc and September tapering off to roughly 75pc.
Large-scale local protests against mass tourism, housing shortages and soaring rents have prompted international visibility, including the prominent publication Fodor’s placing the Canary Islands on its 2026 “No List” to encourage more sustainable travel patterns.
