The sun-drenched Canary Islands, a perennial favourite for British holidaymakers, have been placed on a prominent 'no travel' list for the coming year. The influential guidebook publisher Fodor's Travel has included the Spanish archipelago on its 2026 'No List', citing unsustainable pressures from tourism.
Why the Canaries Are on the List
The decision follows significant local protests across islands like Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote. Residents have voiced growing anger over the impact of mass tourism on their environment, housing costs, and infrastructure. Fodor's clarifies that the list is "not a call for boycott", but aims to spotlight destinations where visitor numbers are creating critical challenges.
The guide highlights that tourism soared in 2025, with 7.8 million visitors arriving and over 27 million airport passengers processed in just the first half of the year. This marked a five per cent increase from previous years. While the sector contributes more than a third of the islands' GDP and employs around 40% of the population, Fodor's notes that "success comes at a price".
The Local Impact of Tourism
The strain on local communities is multifaceted. Key issues identified include:
- Skyrocketing housing prices pushing residents out of the market.
- Severe water scarcity exacerbated by high demand.
- Damage to fragile natural ecosystems and coastal areas.
- Chronic traffic congestion affecting daily life.
"For many Canarians, tourism is both a lifeline and a burden," the guide states. "The islands rely heavily on visitor spending, yet locals often see little of it." Academics warn that the combination of rising visitor numbers and a warming climate is an unsustainable path for the region.
A Global Trend and Shifting Focus
The Canary Islands are not alone. This year's Fodor's 'No List' also features destinations like Antarctica, Glacier National Park in the USA, and Mexico City. While Spanish hotspots Barcelona and Majorca were on the 2025 list, they are not included for 2026.
However, Fodor's cautions that their absence "doesn’t mean that tourists should descend upon them in their thousands". It explains that these places haven't been "magically cured", but the focus is shifting to other areas in urgent need of a respite. The publication describes the list as a "gentle but pointed nudge" to ease pressure on a destination temporarily, allowing it and its communities to recover.
The inclusion of the Canaries signals a growing global conversation about the balance between economic benefit and community well-being in the world's most beloved holiday spots.
