The Minister of Tourism of the Canary Islands Government, Jéssica de León, has indicated that the recommendation by the American magazine Fodor's Travel to avoid traveling to the archipelago in 2026 due to tourist pressure and other factors "should not extend to all islands".
"Appearing on these types of lists is obviously always bad news for the Canary Islands and for the sector, but I want to emphasize that the situation that one or two islands in the archipelago may be experiencing cannot be generalized to the entirety," the minister stated when questioned by the press this Monday during the presentation of the first 'Study on the current situation of rural tourism in the Canary Islands'.
In that sense, he has added that these types of recommendations should not be considered "a guide or beacon on which to reorient policy at the destination management level".De León has emphasized that islands such as La Palma, La Gomera, or El Hierro "receive identical consideration within the Canary Islands as a region, but they do not suffer from tourist pressure and overcrowding."For this reason, he has asked to treat this information from the specialized magazine "with caution," pointing out that from Turismo Islas Canarias they always try to counteract these types of discoursesThe counselor indicated that from her department they are trying to explain to the tourist-generating markets "what is happening in the Canary Islands, how we can solve it, and how tourists can help us reverse those macro figures that can lead to the interpretation of **an overcrowded destination**"."From campaigns related to traffic congestion, respect for protected natural spaces, or recommendations to consume local brands or local products as the best way to contribute to greater and better figures for the real economy of each Canary Islander," he said.The Canary Islands appear in second place among eight destinations "to reconsider in 2026" according to the publication 'Fodor's Travel'In its explanation, the magazine indicated that pressure is increasing in the archipelago with 7.8 million visitors in the first half of 2025, a 5% increase compared to the previous year.Furthermore, he alluded to the demonstrations under the slogan 'Canary Islands have a limit' and that the island's residents "are really fed up," as well as the housing problem, the degradation of natural spaces, water scarcity, pressure on infrastructure, and the lack of wealth distribution generated by tourism.When asked about the latest 2025 figures for tourism on the islands, De León indicated that the Canary Islands ended the winter with 2.6% less scheduled air connectivity and that the year closed, according to data collected up to November, with around 4% more tourists than the previous year.Likewise, he has pointed out that spending per tourist per day was 8.9% higher than in 2024Regarding the archipelago's objectives at the Fitur 2026 fair, which will be held from January 21 to 25 in Madrid, he pointed out that they are to regain positions in the national market and continue consolidating the Canary Islands as a solid destination within Europe.