Authoritative travel publication Fodor’s has published its annual “Banned Destinations List” that travelers are advised to temporarily exclude from their plans in 2026.
The aim of this initiative is to draw attention to places where tourism has become unsustainable and causes significant damage to the environment, infrastructure and the quality of life of local residents.
The authors emphasize that the list is not a final ban. This, in their words, is “a gentle signal to slow down—not forever, but until the destination recovers.”
Why travel becomes a problem
Despite the appeal of travel, mass tourism is increasingly leading to negative consequences: overcrowded streets and public transport, rising housing costs for local residents, environmental damage and increased emissions from air traffic.
Experts say that in 2026, traveling “without a trace” will become increasingly difficult.
Destinations in the list
Among the places that are recommended not to visit this year are both well-known resorts and unique natural areas.
Isola Sacra (Italy)
A small coastal area near Rome with a population of about 15,000 is threatened by large-scale development. In addition to the influx of tourists, the construction of a large cruise ship port is also planned, causing protests by environmentalists and local residents.
Canary Islands (Spain)
One of the most popular regions among British tourists, it welcomes around 18 million visitors each year. In 2025, there were mass protests on the islands with the slogan “The Canary Islands have their own borders” – residents claim that tourism destroys the ecosystem and makes life on the islands unaffordable.
Antarctica
Tourism in the world’s most remote continent is strictly regulated, yet the number of visitors is growing rapidly. 2023-2024 About 120,000 people visited Antarctica in the 2018 season, and that number is expected to double. Scientists and environmentalists fear that even with strict regulations, humans are threatening fragile ecosystems and wildlife.
Glacier National Park (USA)
Glaciers are rapidly disappearing in the Montana park due to climate change. Of the more than 150 glaciers that existed at the beginning of the 20th century, only 27 remain and could disappear by the end of the decade. This has led to a wave of “last resort tourism”, overloading infrastructure and disrupting wildlife habitats.
General trend
The list for the 2026 edition includes seven destinations around the world. They share a common problem: mass tourism has gone beyond what is acceptable. Experts encourage travelers to choose less crowded routes, support sustainable tourism and respect local communities.
According to the authors of the list, responsible travel today is not only a matter of comfort, but also an investment in the preservation of the planet for future generations.
The “red list” previously included dozens of countries, but has been scaled back significantly in recent months, removing major destinations such as South Africa, Brazil and Mexico, where quarantine requirements for returnees have been lifted.
Countries still on the red list:
Panama
Venezuela
Haiti
Dominican Republic
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