Lanzarote’s tourism sector is looking beyond traditional sun-and-beach demand after a new 2026 trend monitor presented on the island identified opportunities in higher-value European markets, heritage and gastronomy, active holidays, solo female travel, pet-friendly tourism and wellness.
The Coral Travel 2026 Trends Monitor, developed by Madison Travel & Tourism in collaboration with Coral Travel Group, was presented in Lanzarote with the participation of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote and the Lanzarote Tourism Federation. The session brought together tourism professionals, destination managers and private-sector representatives to examine how visitor demand is changing and where Lanzarote may be able to strengthen its position in the coming seasons.
For travellers, the news does not mean an immediate change to flights, hotel rules, resort access or holiday bookings. Its importance is more strategic. It shows how Lanzarote is trying to sharpen its tourism offer at a time when mature Canary Islands destinations are under pressure to deliver more value, better visitor distribution and stronger reasons to choose one island over another.
The central message from the presentation is that Lanzarote can still grow in quality and market reach without reducing itself to a volume story. The island already has one of the most recognisable tourism identities in the Canary Islands: volcanic landscapes, Timanfaya National Park, Cesar Manrique’s cultural legacy, whitewashed villages, vineyards, beaches, resort areas, marine excursions and a compact geography that makes day trips easy. The new trend discussion suggests that these assets are increasingly relevant to visitors who want more than a passive beach week.
Why The Trend Monitor Matters For Lanzarote Holidays
Lanzarote is not a new or emerging destination. It is a mature island tourism economy with established resort zones such as Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise, as well as a strong network of excursions to Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, La Geria, Teguise, Famara, Arrecife and La Graciosa.
That maturity is an advantage, but it also creates a challenge. Mature destinations cannot rely only on climate and beach access when visitors are comparing islands, flight routes, accommodation styles and experiences across the Atlantic, Mediterranean and beyond. They need to explain why a traveller should choose this island, this season and this type of stay.
The new trend monitor places Lanzarote in that wider competitive context. It points to visitor segments that may be smaller than the classic mass-market package-holiday base, but potentially valuable because they spend on excursions, food, local experiences, sports, wellness, transport and specialist accommodation. For local businesses, these segments can help spread spending beyond hotel walls and into restaurants, guides, activity providers, wineries, cultural sites and smaller inland communities.
The message also fits a wider direction in Canary Islands tourism policy: less emphasis on simply increasing arrival numbers and more emphasis on value, diversification, sustainability, resident balance and the quality of the visitor experience. Lanzarote’s challenge is to make that approach practical and commercial, not just aspirational.
Germany, Austria And Switzerland Are Still Important Opportunities
One of the clearest market points raised around the monitor is the opportunity for Lanzarote in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. These are not obscure markets for the Canary Islands, but Lanzarote’s share can still be improved because a very large proportion of German-speaking visitors to the archipelago concentrate in Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura.
The figure discussed during the trend analysis is striking: tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who visit the Canary Islands are concentrated at around 85% in those three islands. That leaves room for Lanzarote to present itself more clearly to travellers who already understand the Canary Islands, already have flight familiarity with the region and may be open to a different island if the offer is made more specific.
Germany is not an easy market at the moment. The trend discussion recognised that German demand has been cautious, with more interest in domestic or nearby trips in periods of uncertainty. But that does not remove the long-term opportunity. It means Lanzarote has to work harder on air connectivity, targeted marketing and products that match what these visitors are actually seeking.
Austria and Switzerland were described as markets with different dynamics, including scope for growth and higher average spending. For Lanzarote, that matters because the goal is not simply to replace one market with another. It is to broaden the mix of visitors and strengthen segments that can support restaurants, excursions, culture, sport, nature and specialist accommodation.
Eastern Europe, The Baltics And Poland Add Another Growth Path
The trend monitor also points to opportunities in Poland, the Baltic countries, the Czech Republic and Romania. These markets are especially interesting because many travellers from them are still discovering the differences between the Canary Islands rather than arriving with fixed ideas about which island they must choose.
Poland already matters to the Canary Islands and has been growing as a strategic source market. Lanzarote, however, is not yet the leading island for Polish visitors within the archipelago. That gives the island a chance to compete through better positioning, clearer product packaging and stronger links with tour operators and travel agencies.
The Baltic countries were highlighted as a market where visitors currently tend to focus heavily on Tenerife and do not yet distribute widely across the other islands. That is a useful signal for Lanzarote because it suggests the issue may not be lack of interest in the Canary Islands as a whole, but lack of visibility, product knowledge and route convenience for Lanzarote specifically.
For visitors from these newer or less developed markets, the report’s discussion suggests that the island’s offer should not stop at accommodation and beach weather. Travellers from eastern markets were described as people who like to leave the hotel, take excursions, eat out, participate in activities and practise sports. That profile is well matched to Lanzarote if the island’s tourism businesses package the offer clearly.
Heritage, Gastronomy And Landscape Are Moving Further Into The Spotlight
One of the most useful messages for travellers is that Lanzarote’s tourism identity is broadening. The island still works beautifully as a beach holiday destination, but its competitive strength increasingly depends on the experiences around the beach rather than the beach alone.
Heritage, culture and gastronomy were repeatedly connected to the opportunity for Lanzarote. This is an area where the island has a genuine advantage. The volcanic landscape is not a decorative backdrop; it shapes the island’s architecture, agriculture, wine production, protected spaces and visitor routes. The work associated with Cesar Manrique gives Lanzarote a cultural identity that is unusually coherent for a resort island.
For holidaymakers, this means a Lanzarote trip in 2026 is likely to be marketed more often around mixed itineraries: a resort base plus Timanfaya, a beach day plus a winery visit, a family holiday plus caves and viewpoints, a short winter break plus food experiences, or an active week combining coastal walks, cycling, watersports and inland villages.
The trend discussion also included a specific spending signal from the tour-operator side: the visitor profile being examined can spend more than 200 euros per day beyond the package price, with typical stays of seven to ten days. That kind of spend is important because it reaches the wider destination economy. It can support excursion companies, restaurants, taxi and transfer services, shops, cultural attractions, guides and smaller producers.
| Trend Area | Why It Matters For Lanzarote | Likely Visitor Impact |
|---|---|---|
| German-speaking markets | Many Canary Islands visitors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland still concentrate on other islands. | More targeted Lanzarote marketing and product design could improve choice for repeat Canary Islands visitors. |
| Poland, Baltics, Czech Republic and Romania | These markets offer room for diversification and may be receptive to excursions, sport and eating out. | Visitors may see more tailored packages, activity-led holidays and clearer Lanzarote positioning. |
| Heritage and gastronomy | Lanzarote has strong cultural, volcanic and wine assets beyond its resorts. | More holidays may combine beaches with food, wine, villages, museums and protected landscapes. |
| Solo female travel | The segment has grown strongly and values safety, comfort and social options. | Hotels may refine room amenities, activities and communication for independent travellers. |
| Pet-friendly travel | Demand is rising, but it requires practical facilities and clear rules. | Growth may depend on accommodation, transport and designated public-space solutions. |
| Wellness and longevity | Health-focused holidays are moving beyond spa treatments into broader wellbeing. | Resorts and specialist accommodation may develop more wellness, recovery and healthy-ageing offers. |
Solo Female Travel Is Becoming A Real Tourism Segment
Another notable point in the trend discussion is the growth of women travelling alone. The monitor-related interview highlighted a 60% rise in solo female travel over the last three years, presenting it as a global shift rather than a narrow Lanzarote phenomenon.
For Lanzarote, this matters because solo travellers do not always behave like couples, families or traditional package groups. They may place more value on safety, location, flexibility, good local information, easy transfers, walkable resort areas, social activities and small but thoughtful hotel details.
The practical examples discussed were not dramatic investments. They included room and service details such as stronger hairdryers, shampoo and conditioner, hair straighteners available on request, and activities designed for solo guests who want the option to meet other people. The larger point is that loyalty can be built through precision. A destination does not need to reinvent itself if hotels and activity providers understand the details that make independent travellers feel comfortable.
Safety is especially important in this segment. Lanzarote already benefits from a generally accessible visitor layout, established resorts and familiar tourism services, but the opportunity is to communicate that effectively and back it with well-designed experiences. A solo visitor choosing between islands may respond to clear information about transfers, evening areas, guided activities, hotel location, excursion pickup points and local support.
Pet-Friendly Holidays Are Growing, But They Are More Complex
Pet travel was another trend identified in the discussion, with growth of 17% in one year. That figure is notable because it was compared with wellness tourism growth of 9%, showing that travelling with pets is no longer a fringe preference for a small group of guests.
For Lanzarote, however, pet-friendly tourism is more complicated than adding a label to a hotel listing. It requires operational clarity: which accommodation accepts pets, what size or breed restrictions apply, where animals can move inside a property, whether there are suitable outdoor areas, how cleaning is handled, and how guests with and without pets can share facilities comfortably.
It also raises destination-level questions. Transport, taxis, public areas and beaches all influence whether a pet-friendly holiday actually works. Lanzarote has the climate and outdoor lifestyle that can appeal to this segment, but growth will depend on practical rules and facilities rather than broad promotional language.
For visitors, the immediate takeaway is simple: pet-friendly holidays to Lanzarote may become more visible, but travellers should still check details carefully before booking. A hotel saying it accepts pets is only the beginning. The real holiday experience depends on permitted areas, local walking routes, nearby services, transport arrangements and the island’s public-space rules.
Wellness, Longevity And Conscious Travel Fit Lanzarote’s Landscape
Wellness is not new in the Canary Islands, but the trend monitor discussion points to a more sophisticated version of the segment. Instead of treating wellness only as spa access, the opportunity includes longevity, healthy ageing, purposeful travel and experiences linked to meaning, nature and personal wellbeing.
This could be particularly relevant for Lanzarote because the island’s landscape already encourages a slower style of travel when visitors leave the resort strip. Volcanic routes, sea views, vineyards, low-rise architecture and protected natural spaces can support wellness positioning if the product is credible.
The risk for any destination is that wellness becomes a vague marketing word. Lanzarote’s stronger route would be to connect wellness to real visitor experiences: walking, cycling, ocean activities, local food, quiet rural stays, thalassotherapy, spa hotels, retreats, stargazing, wine landscapes, yoga, recovery breaks and longer stays in shoulder seasons.
Longevity tourism is also a higher-expectation segment. Visitors interested in healthy ageing or wellbeing treatments are likely to compare the quality of facilities, professional standards, food, tranquillity, accommodation and climate. Lanzarote’s year-round weather gives it a natural advantage, but the product has to feel serious enough for travellers who are choosing with purpose rather than browsing for a generic beach break.
Active Travel Remains One Of Lanzarote’s Strongest Cards
The report discussion repeatedly links growth markets with activities, excursions and sport. That is good news for Lanzarote because the island is already well suited to active tourism. Cycling, triathlon training, surfing, windsurfing, hiking, diving, sailing, running and volcanic-landscape excursions are part of the island’s established appeal.
What may change is how these activities are packaged and sold. A traveller from a newer market may not know the difference between staying in Puerto del Carmen for diving, Costa Teguise for windsurfing, Playa Blanca for family resort comfort, Famara for surf culture, or an inland rural base for walking and local food. Better market intelligence can help businesses explain those distinctions in the language and channels that each visitor group uses.
One detail from the trend discussion was unusually specific: demand for padel in the Baltic markets, with travellers asking agencies about establishments that have courts. That may sound small, but it is exactly the kind of practical signal tourism businesses can act on. A hotel with suitable sports facilities, or a resort area with nearby courts, can become more attractive if that feature is visible at the booking stage.
For visitors, this could mean a more varied holiday marketplace in 2026 and beyond. Instead of choosing only by star rating and pool size, travellers may see Lanzarote packages built around sport, food, culture, wellness, excursions, remote work, solo travel, family activity, or pet-friendly stays.
What This Means For Hotels And Tourism Businesses
The trend monitor is especially relevant for Lanzarote’s hotels, apartment complexes, villas, activity companies, restaurants and local experience providers. Its value lies in turning broad market changes into practical decisions.
Hotels can use the findings to refine amenities and communication for solo travellers, sports guests, wellness visitors, high-spending food and culture travellers, and guests from markets that are not yet fully developed for Lanzarote. Activity companies can use them to build clearer packages for visitors who want to leave the hotel and explore. Restaurants and food producers can strengthen the gastronomy case, especially where local wine, fish, cheese, volcanic agriculture and traditional dishes are part of the experience.
Destination managers can also use the findings to focus promotion. Lanzarote does not need to present every product to every market in the same way. A Czech visitor interested in excursions, a Swiss couple seeking quality and landscape, a Polish family looking for winter sun and activities, a solo woman planning a safe independent break, and a pet owner searching for suitable accommodation may all need different messages.
The best tourism promotion now behaves less like a poster and more like a set of answers. Visitors want to know what they can do, how easy it is, whether it fits their identity and whether the destination understands their needs. Lanzarote’s opportunity is to answer those questions with evidence and product detail.
What Visitors Should Take From The News
For people planning Lanzarote holidays, the immediate message is reassuring: this is not a warning, restriction or disruption. Flights, resorts, beaches and attractions are not being changed by the trend monitor itself.
The practical takeaway is that Lanzarote is likely to become more segmented in the way holidays are promoted and packaged. Visitors may see more offers built around gastronomy, heritage, active travel, wellness, solo travel and pet-friendly accommodation. They may also see more targeted marketing in countries where Lanzarote wants a stronger presence.
That could improve choice. A traveller who previously saw Lanzarote mainly as a winter-sun package destination may find better information about wine routes, volcanic landscapes, cultural sites, sports facilities, guided excursions and rural experiences. Repeat visitors may find new reasons to return. First-time visitors may get a clearer sense of how Lanzarote differs from Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura or other Atlantic destinations.
At the same time, travellers should treat specialist segments with the normal care they deserve. If booking a pet-friendly trip, check the rules in detail. If booking a wellness holiday, look closely at the actual facilities and treatments. If travelling alone, consider location, transfer arrangements and the type of resort atmosphere you prefer. If booking an activity-led holiday, confirm equipment, guides, insurance and pickup logistics.
A Clearer Lanzarote For 2026
The fresh tourism trend discussion in Lanzarote is important because it shows the island working on a more precise version of destination competitiveness. The goal is not to abandon the beach holiday, which remains central to Lanzarote’s appeal. The goal is to make the beach holiday richer, more flexible and more connected to the island around it.
That means turning volcanic landscapes, heritage, food, sport, wellness, safety, accommodation detail and market knowledge into a stronger visitor proposition. It also means recognising that the future of Lanzarote tourism will not be shaped only by how many people arrive, but by what they do, where they spend, how they move around the island and whether their trip supports a balanced destination model.
For FlyToCanarias readers, the story is worth watching because it may influence the kinds of holidays, packages, hotel services and experiences that become more visible over the next year. Lanzarote is still selling sunshine, sea and volcanic scenery. The difference is that the island is trying to sell them with more intelligence, sharper segmentation and a clearer idea of the travellers it wants to attract.