Lanzarote and Canary Islands Face Tourism Concerns as Irish Holidaymakers Receive Warning

Irish tourists planning summer 2026 trips to the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote, have been issued a travel warning as the islands grapple with the impacts of mass tourism. The region has been included on Fodor’s annual ‘No List’ due to growing anti-tourism protests, environmental concerns, and pollution affecting beaches.

Record Tourism and Local Concerns

Spain remained a popular destination for Irish travelers in 2025, with a record-breaking three million visits – a 10.1% increase from the previous year. The Canary Islands, known for their year-round sunshine, are a particularly favored destination, attracting over 600,000 Irish tourists annually. Lanzarote specifically welcomed 349,446 Irish tourists between January and November 2025, a 9.2% increase compared to 2024.

Although, the surge in tourism – with the island group receiving over 7.8 million tourists and airports handling more than 27 million passengers in the first six months of 2025 alone – has sparked unrest among residents. Protests have taken place in Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria over the past two years, as locals voice concerns about unsustainable tourism levels.

Fodor’s ‘No List’ and the Impact on Island Life

Fodor’s Travel has placed the Canary Islands on its ‘No List,’ highlighting the strain tourism is placing on local communities and the environment. According to Fodor’s, residents are experiencing “booming tourism, soaring housing costs, and mounting environmental strain” that threaten their way of life. Campaign groups, such as ATAN, express fears that the islands are “losing their identity, culture, and, their right to exist as a community.”

Environmental Concerns: Pollution and Wastewater

Environmental concerns are also a key factor in the travel warning. Reports indicate that approximately 100 million liters of untreated or barely treated sewage are discharged into the sea around the islands daily, potentially impacting water quality and beach conditions.

Not a Boycott, But a Call for Responsible Tourism

Fodor’s emphasizes that the ‘No List’ is not intended as a boycott, but rather as a “gentle but pointed nudge” to encourage travelers to consider the impact of their visits and to allow overstressed destinations a chance to recover.