The Canary Islands have been included in a significant ‘do not travel’ list due to ongoing concerns surrounding excessive tourism. Fodors has designated the Spanish archipelago, located off the coast of Africa, as part of their ‘No List’ for 2026. This annual list aims to draw attention to destinations facing unsustainable pressures from tourism without advocating for a boycott.
The Canaries have experienced a surge in visitor numbers, with 7.8 million tourists and over 27 million airport passengers recorded in the first half of 2025, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Local residents have expressed frustration over the continuous influx of tourists, leading to protests in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote under the slogan “Canarias tiene un límite” (The Canaries have a limit). They argue that the rapid growth in tourism, coupled with rising housing costs and environmental concerns, is jeopardizing the island’s way of life.
Tourism plays a vital role in the Canary Islands, contributing over a third of the GDP and employing approximately 40% of the population. However, the strain on infrastructure and resources is becoming increasingly evident. Issues such as traffic congestion and soaring property prices have sparked discontent among residents.
Local environmental groups like Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza have raised alarms about the scarcity of housing due to the influx of vacation rentals, leading to overcrowding and a lack of space for locals. The imbalance between tourist accommodations and residential properties is stark, with more holiday beds available than homes for residents in certain areas.
Critics have long highlighted the negative impact of over-tourism on the Canary Islands, emphasizing the strain on the region’s natural resources and local communities. Calls for sustainable tourism practices have been growing, with advocates urging for a shift in how tourism is managed in the archipelago.
Efforts to address these challenges are underway, with the regional government implementing regulations to control short-term rentals and granting communities the authority to regulate tourist accommodations. These measures aim to strike a balance between tourism revenue and preserving the unique environment and lifestyle of the Canary Islands.
