The Canary Islands. A potentially daft question.

[BoringSoup]

In the mid 90s, dh and I went to Tenerife, slap bang in the height of the timeshare tout industry.

Tbh, we didn’t do our homework before we went, and so were not prepared for being verbally abused for not wanting to buy a timeshare, and one tout even tried to trip dh up. Luckily, another couple intervened and got us out of the situation.

It ruined our holiday totally, not helped by the fact that the holiday was to help get over a bereavement.

Well, anyway, next year, we were thinking of going away out of high season, but with sun.
I mentioned the Canary Islands, but dh is adamant he doesn’t want to go.

I had heard the Timeshare Tout industry had ended now, with some of the touts locked up, but dh doesn’t believe me.

So the potentially daft question is : Is the time share still going on but on a smaller scale, and if so, where to avoid?
Anywhere where we won’t get mithered by anybody would be good.
We just need some reassurance, it would be a shame to boycott an Island because of a bad experience.
Thank you in advance 💐.

Go to Lanzarote. It's much nicer, the weather is warmer and there are no touts.

I haven't been approached by anyone to do with timeshares in the Canaries, Spain, Greece, Cyprus since 2008.

Thanks @Anyfucker I’ll keep Lanzarote in mind.
It’s a place we’ve never been to, so it’ll be a new experience.

I’ve been to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and not experienced this (although both times we were in quiet resorts). Lanzarote is brilliant, amazing mountains and beaches, I would definitely go back.

We went bro Tenerife a couple of years back without any problems. The kids might have put them off though 😁

Thanks @Janedoe5000.
That’s reassuring.

Been to the Canaries several times since 2002, most recently 2016, and never been approached by a timeshare tout...

I've been to both Tenerife and Lanzarote in recent years and don't remember any hard-sell timeshare touts.

Thanks @Seeline and @Travellinghopefully2018.
I think Lanzarote is a big contender now. I know he won’t entertain Tenerife again, that’s for sure.

I haven't noticed any in recent years.

Nothing like there used to be back in the 90s .

Go and have a lovely holiday.

I love Tenerife - but tend to go to the north of the island now. It's way less hectic and loud. The weather isn't always as good but it's more interesting.

And thanks @Ianbro and @KitKat1985.

Sorry if it seems a daft question, it would be a shame to rule out the Canaries altogether.
I’ll do some homework on hotels in Lanzarote.

Another shout out for Lanzarote. Some lovely little towns with great beaches and restaurants. It’s easy and cheap to eat out so I’d probably go self catering

I've been to Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in the last five years and never seen a time share tout. I'd forgotten about them, but you are right they were everywhere 25 years ago.

They were @Sunshineonleaf, it was scary.
@Guineapig1, sounds fab, can’t wait, now for some gentle persuasion and self catering is an idea to consider also.

In case you need any more persuading, another vote for Lanzarote.

Playa Blanca is a nice area if you want to be in a town, but it's a small island, so you can travel all over easily. Lots to do (volcano, caves, Cesar Manrique arty stuff, vineyards, watersports) as well as the beach, pool sort of stuff. But apart from Costa Teguise and the newer areas of Puerto del Carmen, it's fairly quiet and a nice place to visit.

We've never been approached by timeshare touts and all our holidays are in the Canaries, Balerics, Spain or Malta, but we tend to go to quieter areas with more Spanish, German or Scandinavian tourists.

I always joke that it's because we don't look like we can afford a timeshare place.

Something to remember for the Canaries (and Spain including Balerics), there are usually a few limited areas that are busy/loud/Brits on the piss/English breakfast type places, so if that's not what you want, find out where there are and go somewhere else for a totally different experience nothing like the stereotype of Spanish holidays.

Timeshares are still sold in the Canaries and if you stay in an apartment complex you may find among your welcome bumf an invitation to a welcome drinks event where they will at least suggest that you might consider buying a timeshare if you enjoy your time there. However, we have always avoided these invitations and have never had the hard sell anywhere (inc. Canaries, Cyprus, Spain).

Lanzarote is lovely and out of the main season you'll probably find it quiet and charming. We loved it and would definitely go back. We found Gran Canaria much more built up and less charming. If you want peace and quiet I'd avoid GC and Tenerife - the other islands are much more peaceful and unspoilt.