A significant travel warning has been issued for British tourists planning summer holidays to the Canary Islands, with popular destinations Tenerife and Lanzarote placed on the prestigious Fodor 'No List'. This advisory comes amid growing anti-tourism protests, severe environmental pressures, and pollution issues impacting the region's famous beaches.
Tourism Pressures and Local Protests
The Canary Islands experienced an overwhelming influx of visitors during the first half of 2025, with more than 7.8 million tourists arriving and over 27 million airport passengers recorded. This surge has sparked sustained protests by residents across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote over the past two years, as locals express frustration with the constant stream of travellers to these sunny, hot islands.
Fodor's travel guide highlighted the core message of these demonstrations, stating: "Their message was clear: booming tourism, soaring housing costs, and mounting environmental strain are threatening the foundations of island life." ATAN, one of the oldest anti-tourism groups in the region, told Fodor that communities feel they are "losing their identity, culture, and, ultimately, their right to exist as a community."
Environmental and Pollution Concerns
Beyond social unrest, significant pollution problems have raised alarms. A report published earlier this year revealed that wastewater equivalent to 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools is discharged daily into the sea surrounding the islands. Fodor described the situation vividly: "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."
Purpose of the 'No List'
Importantly, Fodor clarified that this 'No List' is not intended as a boycott but rather as a tool to "highlight destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities." The guide explained further: "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."
This advisory serves as a crucial reminder for UK tourists to consider the broader impacts of their travel choices, balancing holiday plans with environmental sustainability and respect for local communities in these beloved Spanish destinations.
