Morocco tourism boom surpasses Canary Islands with competitive prices

Less than 500 kilometers from the Canary Islands coast, a serious competitor is spreading its wings. Morocco’s hotel supply jumped 23.6% in 2026. Even better, the country nearly reached 20 million visitors last year, recording a 14% increase and outpacing the Spanish archipelago for the first time.

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According to information reported by La Provincia, this momentum is based on a clear development plan: modernization of airports, improved transportation and highly competitive rates in accommodation and dining.

On the Spanish side, economic players are watching this rise without panicking, backed by four decades of experience. Pedro Ortega, president of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of the Canary Islands, acknowledges that "the boy is growing up" and that efforts must be redoubled to maintain the advantage. The islands are betting on their legal security, world-class infrastructure and customer loyalty. The first quarter of 2026 recorded historic figures with 1.5 million foreign tourists and nearly 2.48 billion euros in spending generated.

The real concern for Canarian hoteliers lies in the sky. Increased airport taxes and European carbon rules are pushing airlines like Ryanair to reduce flights to the archipelago in favor of less expensive countries like Morocco.

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José María Mañaricua, representing the hotel sector in Las Palmas, reminds us that the Canary Islands depend exclusively on air travel: "We cannot shoot ourselves in the foot with taxes". However, he views the economic development of neighboring Morocco favorably, believing that the increase in its standard of living helps curb massive migration to Spanish coasts.