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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island with fewest tourists named and it's not Tenerife or Lanzarote
New data has revealed just how cramped and crowded some of the popular Canary hotspots can get - while highlighting an under-appreciated island with hardly any tourists Avoid the coach loads of holidaymakers and rowdy anti-tourist protests on this little-known Canary Island once considered to have been 'the end of the world'. The Spanish-owned archipelago, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa, has long been a firm favourite amongst Brits, thanks to its year-round sunshine, close proximity to the UK, and endless beauty. Last year, a staggering 15.5 million tourists flocked to the Canaries in search of sun, sand, and sangria - a 10 per cent spike compared to 2023. However, the influx has sparked backlash amongst locals - many of whom argue they're being priced out of the property market due to the soaring demand for short-term holiday lets. This has resulted in a slew of demonstrations erupting across the islands, as banner-cladded residents demand Brits 'go home'. But many people do not realise that the Canary archipelago is much more than just Tenerife and Lanzarote - and also comprises of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. If you're wanting a true week of rest and relaxation - the latter needs to be on your bucket list. has analysed tourist numbers along with the size of the destination to work out which Canary Island is the most overcrowded. Unsurprisingly, it found Lanzarote witnesses a staggering 21,600 overnight stays per km2 of land - while Tenerife recorded 16,873 overnight stays per km2 last year. Gran Canaria follows closely (16,709 overnight stays) while Fuerteventura - often touted as the quiet island - was ranked as Europe's 12th most crowded destination. However, the tiny island of El Hierro only saw 610 visitors per km2. Popular with scuba divers due to its wildlife-rich waters and unspoiled corals, El Hierro is a true coastal gem. "The smallness of the island does not prevent you from finding a surprising variety of scenery on it," states the Canary Island's official tourism board. "Best of all is that, as the distances are so short, we can have a relaxing swim at the coast one minute and be walking along a trail among Canary Island pines or laurisilva species a short while later." Hikers will absolutely adore El Hierro and have to check out the famous Camino de Jinama trail. The old route which used to be used by the island's inhabitants is only just over three kilometres long but offers some pretty stunning views. There is one small catch with El Hierro, which could explain why it hasn't been thrusted under the tourist limelight: there are hardly any beaches. Luckily, you can still bask in the sun in one of El Hierro's many natural pools, including the famous Charco Azul. You cannot fly directly to El Hierro from the UK, meaning Brits will first have to get to Tenerife. Luckily, many airlines fly this popular route - meaning you can get direct fares from Bristol, London, Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return flights for as little as £60 in July. Once in Tenerife, you'll need to catch a 40-minute flight over to El Hierro. These tend to only run once a week and cost around £80 for a return trip. There is a range of accommodation types on the island to suit most people's budget. For example, a week's stay (Monday, July 14-21) at the no-thrills Casita con Encanto will set you back £383. This is based on two adults sharing a one-bedroom house with two single beds. For those wanting something a bit more luxurious, check out La Huguera. This spacious chalet, which boasts both mountain and sea views, costs £609 for the exact same dates. *Prices based on Skyscanner and listings at the time of writing.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Svalbard, Chios, El Hierro: How these European islands have successfully avoided overtourism
Mass tourism is once again testing the limits of Europe's most visited places - and islands are among the hardest hit. With limited land and fragile infrastructure, record visitor numbers have driven up housing costs and stretched local services beyond breaking point. In recent years, protests have erupted across archipelagos as residents call on local governments to start putting them first. A new analysis from has delved into which islands are most overloaded and which have been quietly modelling a more sustainable approach. "Tourism has transformed many of Europe's islands, but the pace and scale are no longer sustainable," says Sean Kelly, co-founder of "When local systems are stretched and communities are pushed out, it's a sign something needs to change. That's why it's so important we look at the data, understand where the pressure is highest, and start choosing destinations that can truly benefit from our presence." The booking retreat website analysed the latest data from the European Commission, focusing on how many overnight stays in tourist accommodation there were per square kilometre (km2), a key measure of tourism density. This metric shows how concentrated tourism becomes in small regions, particularly impactful on islands where infrastructure, land, and natural resources are limited. Mallorca may be Europe's most visited island, but no destination packs more tourism into such a small space as Malta. At just 316 km2, Malta is small enough to fit into London five times over, yet it sees more than 38,700 overnight stays per km2. The pressure is visible across the archipelago, especially at tourist hotspots like Comino's Blue Lagoon, which draws up to 12,000 visitors a day in summer. Due to the intense pressure these numbers place on the local environment and infrastructure, officials recently introduced a daily cap of 4,000 visitors at the site, and booking is now required. Despite these clear problems, the government has announced plans to raise total arrivals to 4.5 million by 2034. Predictably, after Malta in the ranking comes a series of Spanish islands. Known for its golden beaches, volcanic trails, and year-round sunshine, Lanzarote has long been a magnet for holidaymakers. The data shows this island now sees more than 21,600 overnight stays per km2. Tenerife records 16,873 overnight stays, followed closely by Gran Canaria with 16,709. Even Fuerteventura, often marketed as a quieter option, ranks 12th among the continent's most saturated islands. Although tourism accounts for around 35 per cent of the Canary Islands' GDP, many residents say the cost of mass tourism outweighs the benefits. As summer approaches, protests have spread across the islands, with thousands taking to the streets to call for caps on visitor numbers, stricter controls on short-term rentals, and protection of Canarian culture. For decades, Ibiza and Formentera have drawn travellers with their turquoise waters and legendary nightlife. But for the 170,000 people who call these islands home, the scale of tourism has also become overwhelming. Last year brought a record 3.7 million visitors, along with another season of rising rents, clogged roads, and crowded beaches. With over 17,000 overnight stays per km2, Ibiza and Formentera are the most overcrowded of the Balearic islands. Related Airbnb criticises Spain's new rental rules: Data shows crackdowns on owners don't stem overtourism 'Paradise ruined': Why Spanish locals fed up with overtourism are blocking zebra crossings While locals agree tourism is vital, many say the balance has tipped too far, pushing up living costs and making housing unaffordable. In April 2025, the regional government approved a new set of Tourism Containment Measures to curb the impact. Among them, stricter enforcement of licenses for tourism rentals and a ban on creating new tourist accommodation in multi-family residential buildings. Despite the glum outlook for many of Europe's islands, dozens remain examples of destinations where sustainable tourism benefits residents. For travellers willing to venture north, Svalbard offers genuine serenity in Europe. With just 2.4 overnight stays per km2, the Arctic archipelago is the least crowded island destination on the continent. Accessible from mainland Norway, Svalbard feels like a true frontier. In summer, the midnight sun stretches across silent glaciers and wide fjords, making it one of the few places in Europe where you can hike, kayak, or simply sit without seeing a soul. What makes Svalbard especially unique is its approach to tourism. Over two-thirds of the archipelago is protected by national parks and nature reserves. Polar bears, Arctic foxes, and reindeer roam freely, while strict environmental rules dictate where visitors can go and how they travel. Accommodation is limited, mostly traditional hotels and small hostels around Longyearbyen, with minimal new developments in the pipeline. Cruise tourism, once on the rise here, is now being rethought. As Norway tightens environmental regulations, the future points toward smaller, low-impact expedition cruises instead of large ships. Åland in Finland and Sweden's Gotland also rank among Europe's least overcrowded islands, all offering slower, more adventurous alternatives far from the usual crowds. Despite being the fifth-largest island in Greece, Chios remains remarkably under the radar. It's roughly the same size as Lanzarote, but sees around 21,000 fewer overnight stays per km2. That's partly by design. Chios has long been economically self-sufficient, thanks to its rare mastic trees, which grow in only a few places in the world. Without pressure to develop large-scale tourism, the island has taken a more sustainable approach, focusing instead on small, family-run pensions, converted stone houses, and preserving its cultural heritage. Villages like Pyrgi and Mesta feel untouched by time, and the beaches, while beautiful, remain blissfully uncrowded. Nature is respected here, not packaged, and the result is a kind of tourism that fits the place, rather than reshaping it. Other Greek islands that rank among Europe's least crowded include Euboea, Lesvos, Limnos, Ikaria, and Samos. On the western edge of the Canaries, El Hierro feels worlds away from the region's busiest resort hubs. With just 610 overnight stays per km2, it is Spain's least crowded island destination. Fewer than 11,000 people live on the island, and tourism remains intentionally small-scale. There are no direct flights to El Hierro, which means it receives a handful of visitors compared to neighbouring Tenerife. There are around 1,000 guest beds, mostly in modest pensions and rural homes, and even the island's largest hotel has under 50 rooms. The landscape is raw and striking: volcanic cliffs, natural swimming pools, ancient forests, and highland farms all sit within a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. Visitors come to hike, dive, and disconnect, but also to experience a slower, more rooted version of island life. Related This sustainable Galapagos cruise showed me a side of the islands Darwin never saw 'Inequality and infinite growth': Canary Islands anti-tourism protests reignite amid record arrivals Since tourism first began to develop on El Hierro, the island has prioritised a sustainable approach. Rather than pursue volume, it has focused on environmental protection, self-sufficiency, and renewable energy, with the goal to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve zero emissions by 2050. Tourism in El Hierro also supports, rather than replaces, traditional industries like agriculture, which produces 98 per cent of all pineapples grown in the Canary Islands. Elsewhere in the Canaries, islands like La Palma and La Gomera appear to be avoiding the worst of mass tourism, but with visitor numbers rising across the archipelago, the window for maintaining that balance may be narrowing.
Euronews
29-05-2025
- Euronews
How have these European islands successfully avoided overtourism?
Mass tourism is once again testing the limits of Europe's most visited places - and islands are among the hardest hit. With limited land and fragile infrastructure, record visitor numbers have driven up housing costs and stretched local services beyond breaking point. In recent years, protests have erupted across archipelagos as residents call on local governments to start putting them first. A new analysis from has delved into which islands are most overloaded and which have been quietly modelling a more sustainable approach. "Tourism has transformed many of Europe's islands, but the pace and scale are no longer sustainable," says Sean Kelly, co-founder of "When local systems are stretched and communities are pushed out, it's a sign something needs to change. That's why it's so important we look at the data, understand where the pressure is highest, and start choosing destinations that can truly benefit from our presence." The booking retreat website analysed the latest data from the European Commission, focusing on how many overnight stays in tourist accommodation there were per square kilometre (km2), a key measure of tourism density. This metric shows how concentrated tourism becomes in small regions, particularly impactful on islands where infrastructure, land, and natural resources are limited. Mallorca may be Europe's most visited island, but no destination packs more tourism into such a small space as Malta. At just 316 km2, Malta is small enough to fit into London five times over, yet it sees more than 38,700 overnight stays per km2. The pressure is visible across the archipelago, especially at tourist hotspots like Comino's Blue Lagoon, which draws up to 12,000 visitors a day in summer. Due to the intense pressure these numbers place on the local environment and infrastructure, officials recently introduced a daily cap of 4,000 visitors at the site, and booking is now required. Despite these clear problems, the government has announced plans to raise total arrivals to 4.5 million by 2034. Predictably, after Malta in the ranking comes a series of Spanish islands. Known for its golden beaches, volcanic trails, and year-round sunshine, Lanzarote has long been a magnet for holidaymakers. The data shows this island now sees more than 21,600 overnight stays per km2. Tenerife records 16,873 overnight stays, followed closely by Gran Canaria with 16,709. Even Fuerteventura, often marketed as a quieter option, ranks 12th among the continent's most saturated islands. Although tourism accounts for around 35 per cent of the Canary Islands' GDP, many residents say the cost of mass tourism outweighs the benefits. As summer approaches, protests have spread across the islands, with thousands taking to the streets to call for caps on visitor numbers, stricter controls on short-term rentals, and protection of Canarian culture. For decades, Ibiza and Formentera have drawn travellers with their turquoise waters and legendary nightlife. But for the 170,000 people who call these islands home, the scale of tourism has also become overwhelming. Last year brought a record 3.7 million visitors, along with another season of rising rents, clogged roads, and crowded beaches. With over 17,000 overnight stays per km2, Ibiza and Formentera are the most overcrowded of the Balearic islands. While locals agree tourism is vital, many say the balance has tipped too far, pushing up living costs and making housing unaffordable. In April 2025, the regional government approved a new set of Tourism Containment Measures to curb the impact. Among them, stricter enforcement of licenses for tourism rentals and a ban on creating new tourist accommodation in multi-family residential buildings. Despite the glum outlook for many of Europe's islands, dozens remain examples of destinations where sustainable tourism benefits residents. For travellers willing to venture north, Svalbard offers genuine serenity in Europe. With just 2.4 overnight stays per km2, the Arctic archipelago is the least crowded island destination on the continent. Accessible from mainland Norway, Svalbard feels like a true frontier. In summer, the midnight sun stretches across silent glaciers and wide fjords, making it one of the few places in Europe where you can hike, kayak, or simply sit without seeing a soul. What makes Svalbard especially unique is its approach to tourism. Over two-thirds of the archipelago is protected by national parks and nature reserves. Polar bears, Arctic foxes, and reindeer roam freely, while strict environmental rules dictate where visitors can go and how they travel. Accommodation is limited, mostly traditional hotels and small hostels around Longyearbyen, with minimal new developments in the pipeline. Cruise tourism, once on the rise here, is now being rethought. As Norway tightens environmental regulations, the future points toward smaller, low-impact expedition cruises instead of large ships. Åland in Finland and Sweden's Gotland also rank among Europe's least overcrowded islands, all offering slower, more adventurous alternatives far from the usual crowds. Despite being the fifth-largest island in Greece, Chios remains remarkably under the radar. It's roughly the same size as Lanzarote, but sees around 21,000 fewer overnight stays per km2. That's partly by design. Chios has long been economically self-sufficient, thanks to its rare mastic trees, which grow in only a few places in the world. Without pressure to develop large-scale tourism, the island has taken a more sustainable approach, focusing instead on small, family-run pensions, converted stone houses, and preserving its cultural heritage. Villages like Pyrgi and Mesta feel untouched by time, and the beaches, while beautiful, remain blissfully uncrowded. Nature is respected here, not packaged, and the result is a kind of tourism that fits the place, rather than reshaping it. Other Greek islands that rank among Europe's least crowded include Euboea, Lesvos, Limnos, Ikaria, and Samos. On the western edge of the Canaries, El Hierro feels worlds away from the region's busiest resort hubs. With just 610 overnight stays per km2, it is Spain's least crowded island destination. Fewer than 11,000 people live on the island, and tourism remains intentionally small-scale. There are no direct flights to El Hierro, which means it receives a handful of visitors compared to neighbouring Tenerife. There are around 1,000 guest beds, mostly in modest pensions and rural homes, and even the island's largest hotel has under 50 rooms. The landscape is raw and striking: volcanic cliffs, natural swimming pools, ancient forests, and highland farms all sit within a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. Visitors come to hike, dive, and disconnect, but also to experience a slower, more rooted version of island life. Since tourism first began to develop on El Hierro, the island has prioritised a sustainable approach. Rather than pursue volume, it has focused on environmental protection, self-sufficiency, and renewable energy, with the goal to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve zero emissions by 2050. Tourism in El Hierro also supports, rather than replaces, traditional industries like agriculture, which produces 98 per cent of all pineapples grown in the Canary Islands. Elsewhere in the Canaries, islands like La Palma and La Gomera appear to be avoiding the worst of mass tourism, but with visitor numbers rising across the archipelago, the window for maintaining that balance may be narrowing. Travellers heading to or through Switzerland this summer may find themselves unexpectedly grounded. The country's national airline, Swiss, has confirmed it will cancel around 1,400 flights from now through October as it confronts an ongoing shortage of pilots. The cuts will affect multiple short-haul routes from Zurich and Geneva, including flights across Europe. Some long-haul services, such as those to Shanghai and Chicago, will also operate less frequently. And some routes, including its summer service to Hurghada in Egypt, have been suspended entirely. Swiss says it 'deeply regrets' the situation and has introduced a range of short-term fixes to address its pilot shortage. Those include a voluntary retirement deferral program, a vacation buyback scheme and encouraging part-time pilots to increase hours. The airline is also working with its pilot union, Aeropers, to improve roster flexibility and reduce last-minute, fatigue-related absences – all measures meant to help the national carrier alleviate its need for about 70 more full-time pilots. Swiss has promised to notify passengers of changes as early as possible. Affected travellers will be rebooked on flights with Swiss, the Lufthansa Group, other carriers in the Star Alliance network or – in the worst-case scenario – any other available airline. Passengers can also rebook or request a full refund. Swiss is not the only airline facing turbulence. Carriers across Europe are trimming schedules and forming contingency plans to cope with a mounting shortage of cockpit crew. KLM has publicly acknowledged difficulties staffing long-haul flights this summer, even though it claims to have more pilots than ever on its roster. 'Sick leave and part-time work have increased in recent years. We lose around 50 full-time jobs a year due to all the part-time work,' Eimerd Bult, head of KLM's flight service, said last September, as reported by Dutch newspaper the Telegraaf. Air France pilots are temporarily operating KLM flights on certain routes, including Amsterdam to New York, from July until October this year. British Airways and easyJet, meanwhile, are aggressively recruiting new staff, battling one another with competitive perks to poach from their rivals and lure back retired pilots. British Airways, for example, has offered to foot the bill for pilot training – which can cost as much as €100,000 – for up to 60 prospects per year. This comes after the airline suspended several short-haul routes this summer, including flights from London Gatwick to Santorini and Mykonos, and select routes from Heathrow to Greece and Croatia. The pandemic paused new pilot training and accelerated retirements, a one-two punch the industry has yet to recover from. In the US alone, the FAA projects about 4,300 pilot retirements each year through 2042. Europe faces a similar crunch. Although some airlines previously had long waiting lists for pilot slots, today they're easing language and nationality requirements to widen the pool. The problem isn't just retirement, though. It's the pipeline. Boeing's long-term outlook estimates that the world will need 674,000 new pilots over the next two decades. By 2032, consulting firm Oliver Wyman says the sector could lack nearly 80,000 pilots globally. Europe alone could be 19,000 pilots short of demand. Travellers with short-haul bookings, especially those involving connections, should brace for disruption as European carriers thin their summer schedules. Experts caution that these tighter schedules may result in fewer direct flights, longer layovers and more competition for seats. Travellers are advised to book early, allow extra time for transfers and monitor airline notifications closely. Though rebooking and refund policies are in place, securing the best alternative could come down to how fast you move.
