Canary Islands Face Tourism Concerns as Fodor Adds Them to ‘No List’

Brits planning summer holidays to the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife and Lanzarote, are being advised to consider the growing concerns surrounding overtourism, environmental damage, and local opposition. The islands have been added to Fodor’s Travel Guide’s ‘No List’ for 2026, a designation reserved for destinations experiencing unsustainable pressures from tourism.

Growing Concerns Over Tourism’s Impact

The Canary Islands welcomed over 7.8 million visitors in the first six months of 2025, with airports handling more than 27 million passengers.¹ This influx has led to protests in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, as residents voice opposition to the constant stream of holidaymakers. Locals express fears that booming tourism is driving up housing costs, straining the environment, and eroding their cultural identity.

Fodor’s ‘No List’ Explained

Fodor’s Travel Guide describes the ‘No List’ as highlighting destinations “where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities.”² The guide emphasizes that the list is not a boycott, but rather a call for more conscientious travel choices. According to Fodor, the message from residents is clear: “booming tourism, soaring housing costs, and mounting environmental strain are threatening the foundations of island life.”³

Environmental Strain and Pollution

Adding to the concerns is the issue of pollution. Research indicates that approximately 100 million liters of wastewater – equivalent to 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools – are discharged into the seas surrounding the islands daily.³ Fodor’s warns of the potential health risks, stating, “Imagine wading into what should be crystalline hotel-resort waters, only to realise that 100 million liters of untreated or barely treated sewage gush into the sea every day, swamping beaches with fecal contamination.”³

Local Voices and Concerns

ATAN, a long-established campaign group, has expressed that the islands are “losing their identity, culture, and, their right to exist as a community.”³ This sentiment underscores the growing frustration among residents who feel their way of life is threatened by the relentless influx of tourists.

Broader Travel Warnings for UK Citizens

This advisory comes amidst wider travel warnings for British citizens. The UK government is urging travelers to register their whereabouts to receive direct updates, particularly in regions experiencing geopolitical instability, such as the Middle East.⁴ Guidance has also been updated regarding entry requirements for Egypt from Jordan.

The Canary Islands’ inclusion on Fodor’s ‘No List’ serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between tourism and sustainability, and the importance of responsible travel choices.