The Canary Islands have landed on a significant ‘avoid travel’ listing following prolonged protests against excessive tourism. The archipelago, located off the coast of Africa, has been included in the 2026 Fodors ‘No List’. Fodor’s annual list aims to draw attention to destinations where tourism is straining local communities and the environment.
In the first six months of 2025, the Canary Islands saw a surge in visitors, with 7.8 million tourists and over 27 million airport passengers, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Concerns over unsustainable tourism growth led to protests in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote under the slogan “Canarias tiene un límite” (The Canaries have a limit).
Despite tourism contributing significantly to the Canary Islands’ economy, with over a third of the GDP and employing around 40% of the population, the rapid influx of tourists has led to challenges. Issues such as traffic congestion, rising housing costs, and environmental strains have fueled discontent among residents.
Local environmental groups like Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza have raised alarms about the increasing dominance of vacation rentals, making it nearly impossible for locals to find affordable housing. The imbalance between tourist accommodations and local residences is evident, with more holiday rental spaces than homes for residents in six areas of the islands.
Critics have long warned about the negative impacts of overtourism on the Canary Islands, emphasizing the strain on the region’s resources and biodiversity. Calls for sustainable tourism practices have intensified, with residents expressing frustration over the transformation of their communities to cater predominantly to tourists.
Efforts to address the situation are underway, with the regional government implementing regulations to control short-term rentals and empower communities to regulate tourism activities. These measures aim to strike a balance between promoting tourism and preserving the Canary Islands’ unique environment and way of life.
