Canary Islands – Increasing costs for transport, accommodation, and basic leisure activities are leading more Canarian residents to opt for “staycations” on their home islands, with many choosing to remain within their own municipalities rather than travel inter-island.

 
 
 

 

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Domestic tourism data from Promotur revealed that 170,815 Canarian residents took holidays within the archipelago during July 2025. This represents a 3.2% decrease compared to the same period last year. Notably, over half of these residents did not leave their own island, highlighting a growing trend driven by economic pressures.

Inter-Island Travel Falls as Locals Stay Put

Inter-island tourism, traditionally popular due to short flight times and resident discounts, experienced a measurable decline:

  • Only 171,000 Canarians traveled between islands in July.

  • Over 80,000 chose to holiday on their own island.

  • Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Tenerife saw significant increases in residents holidaying locally.

  • In Gran Canaria, nearly 36,200 of the 50,000 residents who holidayed within the archipelago chose not to travel, representing 73% of that group.

Barriers to Travel: Airfare, Hotels, Dining

Residents cite several contributing factors for staying closer to home:

  • Airfare increases, even with resident subsidies.

  • Hotel and apartment prices rising to match international demand.

  • Dining and leisure costs also increasing in tourist-heavy areas.

For many working families, the cost of a short inter-island trip can now be comparable to a mainland Spanish holiday, an option that is increasingly out of reach as well.

“Staycations” on the Rise

Despite fewer residents traveling between islands, many are still seeking local escapes. Hotels and apartments are reporting a rise in local guests, particularly in beach areas and rural tourism accommodations. Some islands experienced unusually high local demand:

  • In Fuerteventura, more than 30% of local travelers stayed on their home island.

  • Lanzarote saw a 118% increase in residents choosing not to travel.

  • In Tenerife, 60% of local tourists opted to stay on-island.

  • Gran Canaria topped the list, with 73% of Canarian guests staying within the island.

Underlying Economic Pressure

These figures come amidst broader cost-of-living concerns in the Canary Islands. Inflation, stagnant wages, and a housing market skewed by short-term tourist rentals are all contributing to reduced mobility for many islanders. Some residents have expressed that public beaches or city parks are now their only affordable holiday option, with others rebooking travel plans due to unexpected price hikes.

Industry Adaptation

Tourism stakeholders are beginning to adapt to this trend by offering:

  • Special resident-only discounts.

  • Packages aimed at rural tourism and cultural stays.

  • Off-season promotions to boost local travel in quieter months.

This trend underscores a growing divide: while the Canary Islands continue to attract record numbers of international tourists, local residents are increasingly priced out of their own archipelago.