The Canary Islands have been placed on Fodor’s ‘No List’ amid anti-tourism protests, environmental concerns and sewage pollution impacting beaches as UK tourists continue to flock to the Spanish hotspot
A travel alert has been issued for Britons planning to visit a popular Spanish holiday destination this summer. The Canary Islands have been added to Fodor’s ‘No List’ following anti-tourism demonstrations, environmental issues and contamination affecting coastlines. Throughout the opening six months of 2025, the archipelago welcomed over 7.8 million visitors, with more than 27 million passengers passing through airports.
However, locals have taken to the streets across Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote over the past two years, protesting against the typical surge of holidaymakers flocking to these warm and sunny isles.
Regarding the anti-tourism demonstrations that have dominated the Canary Islands’ reputation in recent years, Fodor stated: “Their message was clear: booming tourism, soaring housing costs, and mounting environmental strain are threatening the foundations of island life.”
ATAN, amongst the most established of these organisations, informed Fodor that “they are losing their identity, culture, and, ultimately, their right to exist as a community”, reports the Mirror.
Another worry centres on contamination, as sewage water equivalent to 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools is released daily into the surrounding waters, according to research published earlier this year.
Fodor continued: “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.”
The travel list however is not a “boycott” list but is designed to “highlight destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities”, Fodor said.
It added: “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 comes as more travel alerts emerge for Brits planning to head abroad. The UK Government has been refreshing its travel advice for nations including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine and Qatar – following the ongoing deadly conflict between Israel/US and Iran.
At the beginning of the month, the government urged Brits to register their location so the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office can provide them with direct updates.
One of the latest updates from the government concerns entry into Egypt from Jordan. Guidance stated: “Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Egypt. Contact ferry operators directly for schedules and availability. Please check travel advice for Jordan for the latest on exit requirements.
“If your stay in Sinai will exceed 15 days, or you are planning to travel in Egypt beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from mainland airports, for example Cairo or Hurghada, you will need an entry visa.”