article_detail

For decades, the Canary Islands have been a go-to destination for British holidaymakers, offering reliable sunshine, familiar resorts and easy flights. But that long-standing relationship is starting to evolve, as more UK travellers quietly rethink where they spend their holidays.

 

Spain almost reached 97 million international visitors in 2025, with the UK remaining its largest source market at close to 19 million travellers. The Canary Islands continue to play a central role in that success, welcoming nearly 16 million visitors last year and generating more than €24.5 billion in tourist spending. Yet beneath those strong figures, strains are becoming harder to ignore.

 

Recent warnings about tourism pressure in the Canary Islands have highlighted growing concerns over overcrowding, housing shortages and pressure on public services, issues that have fuelled social debate across the archipelago. Tourism now accounts for almost 37% of the regional economy, making the balance between visitors and everyday life an increasingly sensitive topic.

 

This unease is also reflected in shifting demographics. Over the past two years, the number of British residents living in the islands has halved, reinforcing the idea that the current tourism cycle may be changing. While visitor numbers remain high, many British travellers are described as feeling worn down by busy resorts and rising prices, and are starting to “look at other destinations.”

 

One place benefiting from that curiosity is Cape Verde. The Atlantic archipelago is gaining attention in the UK as a calmer alternative, offering a similar climate and dramatic volcanic landscapes, but with far less tourist saturation. In 2024, Cape Verde surpassed one million international visitors, with around 30% coming from the UK.

 

Better air connections have made that switch easier. Airlines such as TUI Airways and easyJet now fly directly from several British cities to islands like Sal, with travel times comparable to flights to the Canaries. Cost also plays a part, with weekly package holidays starting from around 800 euros, often undercutting prices in many Canary Island resorts.

 

That said, the Canary Islands are still in a league of their own, receiving around ten times more tourists than Cape Verde. What seems to be changing is not the appeal of the islands themselves, but what British travellers now value most. Increasingly, they are looking for places that feel manageable, affordable and in balance with local life, a signal that sustainability may shape the next chapter of Canary Islands tourism rather than sheer visitor numbers alone.

 

Image: Alla Sergeeva/Pexels