The tourism module of the Socioeconomic Habits and Confidence Survey (ECOSOC) for the second quarter of 2026 reveals that while nearly seven out of ten residents view the sector's impact positively, there is growing concern regarding its effects on the cost of living and housing accessibility.
Economically, 77.1% of respondents indicate that tourism drives up housing prices, while 64% believe it increases the general cost of living. Despite these criticisms, a large majority acknowledges the sector's contribution to regional economic development and investment attraction.
Regarding the regulation of holiday rentals, the report highlights a predominantly negative assessment, with 51.7% of residents calling for stricter regulations. This sentiment is particularly strong in Lanzarote, La Gomera, and the metropolitan area of Tenerife.
Environmentally, most residents perceive negative consequences, highlighting waste generation, pressure on water and energy consumption, and traffic mobility issues. Support for the tourist tax has seen a significant increase compared to 2024, with the percentage of undecided individuals dropping notably.
