The Canary Islands are on target to have more than 16 million international visitors in 2026, setting a third consecutive all-time record of foreign tourists if current growth trends continue for the rest of the year.
According to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics, (INE), based on the Frontur and Egatur reports, international arrivals to the islands rose by 2.8% in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period in 2025.
If that pace is maintained — despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East — the archipelago would receive more than 400,000 additional foreign tourists this year, pushing the annual total beyond 16 million. That would mark a third straight record-breaking year, following 2024 and 2025, when the islands reached 15.7 million overseas visitors.
When combined with an average of 2.7 million visitors from mainland Spain each year, the overall figure could edge closer to 19 million tourists in 2026 — an unprecedented milestone for the region.
Strong performance despite global tensions
These figures come even as international markets remain unsettled by conflict in the Middle East, including the escalation involving the United States, Israel and Iran. So far, however, there is no clear evidence that the situation has negatively affected visitor numbers to the Canary Islands.
In fact, some industry analysts suggest instability elsewhere can sometimes redirect demand towards perceived safer destinations, such as the Canaries, nevertheless, uncertainty remains over how the situation may evolve and whether rising fuel and transport costs could eventually influence travel patterns.
March figures remain solid
In March alone, the Canary Islands welcomed 1.56 million foreign tourists — a modest 0.4% increase compared with March 2025. Nationally, Spain recorded stronger growth of 3.3%.
For the year to date (January to March), the islands received 4.5 million international visitors, representing a 2.8% rise, slightly above the national average increase of 2.5%.
The Canary Islands accounted for 23% of all international arrivals to Spain in March, making it the country’s leading destination during the peak winter season. Catalonia followed with 19%, and Andalusia with 17%.
Tourist spending also rises
The islands also ranked first in total tourist spending by international visitors.
According to Egatur data, foreign tourists spent €2.47 billion in the Canary Islands in March, a 2.3% increase year-on-year.
For the first quarter overall, spending reached €6.93 billion, 28% of the national total of €25.02 billion, which rose 6.3% compared with the same period last year.
It is important to note that total tourist expenditure does not directly equal the net income retained by the islands’ economy, but it remains a key indicator of sector performance.
Interestingly, the rise in spending was not driven by higher daily outlay per visitor, but by longer stays. The average length of stay in March increased to 8.6 days per visitor.
No signs of slowdown — yet
With three consecutive record years already achieved (2023, 2024 and 2025), the Canary Islands remain firmly on the crest of a tourism wave that shows little sign of slowing.
While global uncertainty continues to cast a shadow over international travel, for now at least, the islands’ tourism engine appears to be running at full speed.
