New report shows why British tourists keep flocking to the Canary Islands despite protests
Despite anti-tourism protests across parts of Europe, including the Canary Islands, British holidaymakers show no sign of changing their holiday habits, according to a new report by ABTA, the UK’s leading travel association.
The study found that while over 75% of UK tourists are aware of the social backlash against mass tourism, there has been “no significant change” in their travel plans. The Canary Islands, Spain’s most popular destination for Britons, continue to attract millions each year.
Recent months have seen graffiti with anti-tourism messages, demonstrations, and even acts of hostility towards visitors in parts of Spain and other European destinations. In the Canary Islands alone, around 30,000 people took to the streets earlier this year to demand tighter controls on tourism, citing pressure on housing, natural resources, and public services.
At the ABTA annual conference in Mallorca, the organisation’s CEO Mark Tanzer acknowledged that many British customers now ask travel agents about the protests. However, he said, these concerns “don’t stop them from travelling to their favourite destinations.”
Tanzer stressed that while the tourism industry must listen to residents’ concerns, it’s important not to alienate visitors: “Tourists are still welcome and necessary; they are key to the livelihood of many families.”
According to ABTA’s data, Spain remains the number one destination for British travellers, with 32% of UK holidaymakers heading there in 2024. Between January and August 2025, an estimated 13 million Britons visited Spain, a 4.3% increase compared to the same period last year.
As Tanzer put it, “value for money remains a top priority” for travellers, and for many Brits, the Canary Islands continue to tick every box.
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