The beloved Canary Islands, a staple of British holiday itineraries for decades, have once again been named on a prominent travel advisory list for 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the Spanish archipelago has featured on Fodor's Travel 'No List', sparking questions for UK travellers planning their getaways.
Understanding the 'No List' and Its Purpose
It is crucial to clarify that this is not a travel ban or a call for a boycott. Instead, Fodor's, the respected travel guide publisher, uses its annual list to spotlight destinations where the sheer volume of visitors is creating unsustainable strain. The guide aims to give such places "a breather" by encouraging tourists to consider alternative spots, at least temporarily.
The list focuses on locations grappling with three core issues: overtourism, damage to fragile ecosystems, and local communities struggling under the weight of tourist numbers. For the Canary Islands, the inclusion for both 2025 and 2026 underscores that these pressures have not abated.
The Stark Reality Behind the Sunshine
The statistics reveal the scale of the challenge. In the first half of 2025 alone, the islands welcomed a staggering 7.8 million visitors and processed over 27 million airport passengers. This represents a five per cent increase on previous years.
While tourism forms the backbone of the local economy—contributing more than a third of GDP and employing around 40% of residents—the social and environmental cost is rising. The publication notes that for many Canarians, tourism is "both a lifeline and a burden," with locals often seeing little of the financial benefit.
The consequences for island residents are tangible and severe. They face increased traffic congestion, critical housing shortages, and spiralling rental costs driven by tourist accommodation. Environmental degradation and water scarcity are also major concerns, with experts warning that the combination of rising visitor numbers and a warming climate is an unsustainable path.
Context and Considerations for British Travellers
It is worth noting that other Spanish favourites like Barcelona and Majorca, which appeared on the 2025 list, are absent this year. However, Fodor's stresses this does not mean their problems are solved, but rather aims to shift focus to other hotspots in need of relief.
For British holidaymakers, this advisory serves as a prompt to travel more thoughtfully. The islands' popularity is rooted in their reliable sunshine, vibrant resorts, and a manageable four-hour flight from the UK—a relationship that has historically boosted the local economy. Yet, the significant protests by locals in 2024 against mass tourism signal a changing tide.
The Canary Islands are not alone on the 2026 list. They are joined by diverse locations including Antarctica, Glacier National Park in the USA, Mexico City, and Montmartre in Paris, all highlighted for similar reasons of overtourism and ecological strain.
Ultimately, the message from Fodor's is one of conscious travel. The guide encourages tourists to consider travelling outside peak seasons, exploring lesser-known islands in the archipelago, or choosing a different destination altogether to help alleviate the pressure. The goal is to ensure destinations like the Canaries remain vibrant and viable for both residents and future visitors, rather than being loved to death.
