The Spanish destination has been a popular holiday spot for decades due to its year-round sunshine and sandy beaches
The Canary Islands have been a staple destination for Irish holidaymakers for decades, known for their constant sunshine, lively resorts and convenient four-hour flight time.
It’s been a mutually beneficial arrangement between Irish (and British) tourists and these Spanish islands: as appetite for sunshine breaks grew throughout the latter half of the 20th century, holiday developments emerged across the island chain and tourism revenue made a substantial contribution to the local economy. However, 2024 saw a shift in sentiment, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Locals staged demonstrations against mass-tourism, pointing to its impact on the environment, local infrastructure and on housing prices. Similar protests took place at other holiday hotspots across Europe.
As a result, the Canary Islands featured in European travel guide Fodor’s Travel ‘No List’ for 2025 – and appears on the list once more for 2026. The guide clarified that the list is “not a call for boycott”, but instead aims “to highlight destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities.”
It noted the main concerns raised by the list are “overtouristed sites, fragile ecosystems and communities struggling to stay afloat”.
“The No List serves a gentle but pointed nudge to ease up on a spot for now–not forever–and give a rest to any location that clearly needs a breather,” Fodor’s explained.
On the Canary Islands, it was noted that tourism increased in 2025, with a whopping 7.8 million visitors flocking to the islands and over 27 million airport passengers processed in the first half of the year alone, marking a five per cent increase on previous years.
Fodor’s highlights that tourism accounts for more than one-third of the Canary Islands’ GDP and employs approximately 40 per cent of its population, “yet success comes at a price”.
Residents feel the impact of visitors on traffic, housing (including increasing rental prices), damage to the natural environment and water scarcity. The guide stated: “Academics and experts warn that the combination of rising visitor numbers and a warming climate is unsustainable.
“For many Canarians, tourism is both a lifeline and a burden. The islands rely heavily on visitor spending, yet locals often see little of it.”
Last year, other Spanish destinations like Barcelona and Majorca were featured, however, they have not made the list this year. But Fodor’s emphasises this doesn’t mean that tourists should descend upon them en masse.
“These destinations haven’t been magically cured–they’re still mired in challenges–but the usual suspects too often pull focus from other hotspots in need of a break,” the publication remarked.
In addition to the Canary Islands, Antarctica, Glacier National Park (USA), Isola Sacra (Italy), The Jungfrau Region (Switzerland), Mexico City (Mexico), Mombasa (Kenya), Montmartre (Paris, France) are also included in this year’s ‘No List’.