Canary Islands Tourism Latest Perception Figures Improve, But the Debate Over Its Future Continues
Canary Islands tourism has moved back into passing territory in the latest perception figures, but the results show that concerns about housing, infrastructure and sustainability continue to influence how tourism is discussed online. For Lanzarote, the figures offer an interesting snapshot of the challenges facing one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations.
Tourism remains at the heart of life in the Canary Islands. From the beaches and resorts of Lanzarote to the landscapes of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, millions of visitors come to the islands each year looking for sunshine, outdoor activities, good food and the distinctive character that makes the archipelago so popular.
But how people talk about tourism in the Canary Islands is becoming increasingly important – and the latest figures suggest that the conversation is far from straightforward.
Canary Islands tourism scores 5.2 out of 10
The latest Tourism Perception Barometer from LLYC gives the Canary Islands a tourism perception score of 5.2 out of 10.
That represents an improvement compared with the same period last year, when the Canary Islands recorded a score of around 4.5. However, it still leaves the archipelago towards the lower end of the Spanish regional rankings, with the Canary Islands placed 12th among Spain’s autonomous communities.
At first glance, a score of 5.2 might not sound particularly encouraging for a destination as internationally successful as the Canary Islands.
However, the figure needs some context.
The barometer isn’t measuring whether visitors enjoyed their holiday in Lanzarote, whether tourists would recommend Puerto del Carmen or whether residents personally like living alongside tourism.
Instead, it measures the digital reputation of tourism – essentially looking at what is being said about tourism and its effects across online conversations.
Why is the online conversation so critical?
According to the latest analysis, some of the strongest negative themes surrounding Canary Islands tourism relate to issues that are increasingly familiar to people living here.
Housing and rental costs are prominent concerns, particularly the availability and affordability of homes for local residents.
There are also discussions about pressure on infrastructure, traffic, waste management and the impact that large numbers of visitors can have on public services and the environment.
Environmental concerns are particularly relevant to islands such as Lanzarote, where the landscape is one of the main reasons tourists come here in the first place.
The LLYC methodology specifically tracks subjects including environmental impact, tourist overcrowding, housing and gentrification, infrastructure, employment conditions and sustainable tourism.
It’s not simply a case of being “anti-tourist”
This is perhaps the most important distinction to make.
Criticism of the current tourism model doesn’t necessarily mean that people are against tourists.
There is a considerable difference between welcoming visitors while questioning how tourism is managed and rejecting tourism altogether.
For many people living in the Canary Islands, tourism provides jobs, supports local businesses and brings customers to restaurants, shops, excursion companies, car hire firms and countless other businesses.
The Canary Islands’ own tourism authorities describe tourism as a major economic and employment driver for the archipelago, while also acknowledging concerns surrounding housing, living costs, public services and pressure on the territory.
That makes the debate considerably more complicated than simply asking whether the islands have “too many tourists”.
What does this mean for Lanzarote?
For those of us living in or regularly visiting Lanzarote, the discussion is particularly interesting.
The island has built an international reputation around something that goes beyond traditional sun-and-sea tourism.
Visitors come to Lanzarote for its volcanic scenery, beaches, walking routes, water sports, restaurants, local culture and unique landscapes.
Places such as Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, the César Manrique sites, Papagayo and the villages of the north form part of an experience that is very different from a conventional mass-market beach destination.
That creates an opportunity for Lanzarote tourism.
Rather than concentrating solely on increasing visitor numbers, the future could increasingly involve attracting visitors who want to experience the island, spend locally and appreciate its environment and culture.
A better type of tourism?
The idea of sustainable tourism in Lanzarote is not new, but it is becoming increasingly important.
The LLYC barometer identifies tourism based around culture, heritage, nature, quality experiences and sustainability among the themes capable of generating more positive associations.
That fits particularly well with Lanzarote.
A visitor exploring the island’s volcanic landscape, eating at a local restaurant, visiting a small business, taking a walking tour or discovering one of the island’s cultural attractions contributes to the tourism economy in a very different way from simply measuring success by the number of people arriving at the airport.
For residents, the question is increasingly about balance.
For tourists, it is about enjoying Lanzarote without damaging the very things that made them want to visit.
The Canary Islands still have plenty to be positive about
It would also be wrong to interpret the latest perception figures as meaning that tourism in the Canary Islands is failing.
Far from it.
The latest LLYC analysis actually shows an improvement in the Canary Islands’ score compared with the previous year. The report also points towards positive narratives surrounding the islands’ identity, heritage, culture, connectivity and the development of higher-value tourism.
And there is another important point: digital conversation is not the same thing as public opinion as a whole.
LLYC itself acknowledges that its barometer is designed to measure digital perception rather than actual tourist numbers or physical occupancy. Its methodology also gives particular weight to higher-reach online content, meaning the results should be viewed as a measure of the online tourism debate rather than a referendum on tourism among every resident of the Canary Islands.
What happens next?
The challenge for the Canary Islands – and for Lanzarote tourism in particular – is finding the balance between a successful visitor economy and a good quality of life for the people who live here.
Tourists want beautiful beaches, clean streets, reliable services and protected natural spaces.
Residents want affordable housing, functioning infrastructure, employment opportunities and communities that remain enjoyable places to live.
Those objectives don’t have to be incompatible.
In fact, protecting the island’s environment, culture and communities could ultimately be one of the best ways of protecting Lanzarote as a holiday destination too.
The latest figures therefore shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a warning that tourists are no longer welcome.
Instead, they could be seen as another indication that the conversation around Canary Islands tourism is changing.
The future may be less about simply asking how many people can we attract? and more about asking what kind of tourism works best for Lanzarote and the people who call the island home?
