Canary Islands Residents Travel Less as Rising Costs Change Holiday Habits
Residents across the Canary Islands are travelling significantly less than they were a year ago, according to the latest official figures, highlighting how rising living costs continue to influence spending decisions across the archipelago.
Data released by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) shows that Canarian residents made 963,122 trips between January and March 2026, compared with 1,441,843 trips during the same period in 2025. That represents a fall of almost 479,000 journeys, or 33% year-on-year.
The Canary Islands Saw the Biggest Drop
While travel by Spanish residents declined across the country, the reduction in the Canary Islands was far more pronounced.
Across Spain, residents made around 33.2 million trips during the first quarter of 2026, representing a relatively modest 4.4% decrease compared with the previous year. In contrast, the Canary Islands experienced one of the sharpest falls in domestic travel.
Fewer Visitors from Mainland Spain
The figures also show that fewer Spanish residents travelled to the Canary Islands during the first three months of the year.
Trips from mainland Spain and other regions to the islands fell from approximately 1.38 million to 879,081 between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026. As a result, total spending by these visitors also declined, dropping from €492.2 million to €435.9 million.
Travellers Are Spending More Per Trip
Although fewer people travelled, those who did appear to have spent more.
Average expenditure by visitors travelling to the Canary Islands increased from €357 per trip to €496, suggesting many travellers are choosing fewer holidays but allocating a larger budget to each one.
A similar trend was seen among Canarian residents travelling away from the islands. Total spending on their trips fell from €574.1 million to €472.6 million, but average spending per journey rose from €398 to €491.
What Does This Mean for Lanzarote?
For Lanzarote, these figures provide an interesting snapshot of changing travel habits rather than a sign that tourism is disappearing.
The island continues to attract millions of international visitors every year, particularly from the UK, Ireland, Germany and mainland Europe. However, the latest data suggests that many residents of both the Canary Islands and mainland Spain are becoming more selective about when and how often they travel.
Higher living costs, inflation and increased travel expenses are likely encouraging people to take fewer holidays while spending more on the trips they do make.
For local businesses in Lanzarote, this may mean placing even greater emphasis on offering value, memorable experiences and quality service to attract visitors who are prepared to spend more during shorter breaks.
Looking Ahead
The first-quarter figures only provide a snapshot of the beginning of 2026, and the busy summer and winter tourism seasons will offer a clearer picture of how travel demand develops throughout the year.
Despite the decline in resident travel, Lanzarote remains one of Europe’s most popular year-round holiday destinations, with its warm climate, beaches, volcanic landscapes and growing range of attractions continuing to attract visitors from around the world.
