The Canary Islands have been added to a significant ‘do not travel’ list due to ongoing concerns regarding excessive tourism. The archipelago, located off the North West coast of Africa, has been included in Fodor’s ‘No List’ for 2026, an annual publication that aims to draw attention to destinations facing unsustainable tourism pressures.
Fodor’s highlights the increasing strain on the Canary Islands, with the region welcoming 7.8 million visitors and accommodating over 27 million airport passengers in the first half of 2025, marking a 5% rise from the previous year.
Local residents in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote have taken to the streets in protest against the continuous influx of tourists under the slogan “Canarias tiene un límite ” (The Canaries have a limit). They argue that the thriving tourism industry, 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 to the region’s GDP and employing around 40% of the population. However, issues such as traffic congestion and soaring property prices have sparked discontent among locals.
The unsustainable growth of vacation rentals has led to a shortage of housing for residents, prompting environmental groups to raise alarms about overcrowding and the loss of local spaces on the islands.
Despite the economic benefits of tourism, concerns persist about the negative impact on the Canary Islands’ environment and community. Efforts are being made by the regional government to address these challenges, including implementing regulations to control short-term rentals and giving communities a say in the use of properties for tourism purposes.