British holidaymakers are being urged to reconsider their travel plans for 2026, with a leading travel publication naming seven destinations that should be avoided. The call comes as the negative impacts of mass tourism—from overwhelmed infrastructure to environmental damage—become impossible to ignore.
Fodor's 2026 'No List': A Call for Responsible Travel
Each year, the American travel guide Fodor's releases its influential 'No List'. This is not a list of places that are unsafe, but rather destinations where tourism is placing an unsustainable strain on local communities, ecosystems, and resources. The aim is to give over-visited spots "a breather" and encourage travellers to make more considered choices.
"We provide a gentle nudge to ease up on a spot for now–not forever–and give a rest to any location that clearly needs it," the publication states. For 2026, the list highlights seven critical areas where a pause in visitor numbers is desperately needed.
The Seven Destinations on the 2026 Red List
1. Isola Sacra, Italy: This historic coastal area near Rome, famed for its ancient Roman Necropolis, is under threat from a massive new port development. The approved Fiumicino Waterfront project will include moorings for 1,000 boats and a 350-metre cruise ship jetty, capable of handling vessels with up to 6,000 passengers. Activists warn it will irrevocably change the character of this compact community of 15,000 people.
2. The Canary Islands, Spain: A firm favourite for British winter sun, the Canaries received nearly 18 million visitors last year alone. The islands have become a flashpoint for overtourism protests, with thousands marching in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote in May 2025 under the slogan "Canarias tiene un límite" (The Canaries have a limit). Residents cite overcrowding, pressure on housing, and environmental degradation as key issues.
3. Antarctica: The world's last pristine wilderness is seeing visitor numbers soar, with 120,000 tourists recorded between 2023 and 2024—a figure projected to double. Despite strict rules requiring a "minor or transitory impact," the combination of climate change and increased human presence poses a grave risk. Scientists are currently investigating disease outbreaks in penguin colonies, highlighting the fragility of the ecosystem.
4. Glacier National Park, USA: Located in Montana, this park is warming at twice the global average. Of the 150 glaciers present in the early 1900s, only 27 remain, and these are expected to vanish by 2030. This has triggered a surge in "last-chance tourism," overwhelming the park's famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, increasing litter, and disturbing wildlife.
5. Jungfrau Region, Switzerland: The iconic Alpine area, home to villages like Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, is struggling under the weight of its own beauty. Fodor's reports that coaches jam mountain roads, delicate paths are eroding, and once-quiet waterfalls are crowded with tour groups, straining local resources and residents' quality of life.
6. Mexico City, Mexico: Mirroring protests seen in European cities, Mexico's capital has seen a significant backlash against tourism-driven gentrification. On July 4, 2025, large protests against rising rents and short-term rentals turned violent, with tourists harassed and businesses looted. The sentiment, captured in slogans like "kill a gringo," has been condemned as xenophobic by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
7. Mombasa, Kenya: Kenya's tourism is booming, aiming for 3 million international arrivals. The historic coastal city of Mombasa is bearing the brunt, grappling with depleted resources, littered beaches, polluted oceans, and congested roads from a 164% rise in cruise traffic. Official surveys warn the city is in danger of losing its appeal entirely due to uneven development and poor waste management.
The Bigger Picture for British Travellers
The message from Fodor's 2026 No List is clear: the era of carefree, volume-driven tourism is over. For British holidaymakers, who are significant contributors to visitor numbers in several listed spots like the Canaries, this represents a crucial moment to reflect. Choosing less-visited alternatives, travelling off-peak, and prioritising sustainability are no longer niche considerations but essential practices for preserving the world's most beloved destinations for future generations.
