Announced in London yesterday by the Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism, Jessica de León, alongside Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Director General for Tourism Planning, and Isabel Florido, Environmental Sustainability Officer at Turismo de Islas Canarias, REGNEXT aims to make tourism a direct contributor to environmental restoration and community wellbeing through voluntary contributions.

The announcement comes as destinations across Europe increasingly introduce visitor taxes to help manage tourism and fund sustainability programmes. Instead, the Canary Islands is proposing a voluntary model that enables travellers, travel companies and climate funds to support regeneration projects across the islands.

Welcoming the initiative, Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office UK, said:

"The Spanish Tourist Office welcomes this innovative approach, which replaces obligation with voluntary contributions to well-designed sustainability projects that will benefit both visitors to the Canary Islands and local communities. By supporting tangible environmental and social initiatives, REGNEXT will help protect and restore natural spaces, reduce emissions, improve quality of life for residents and enhance the visitor experience."

REGNEXT has been designed as a digital platform that connects contributors directly with environmental and social regeneration projects across the Canary Islands. It ensures complete transparency and traceability, guaranteeing that contributions are directed to specific projects rather than a general fund.

Visitors, travel companies, foundations and other organisations will be able to make voluntary contributions through a simple online system. Users can browse approved projects, choose those they wish to support and follow their progress.

Each project will include information on its objectives, budget, implementation timetable and expected outcomes. Contributors will also have access to regular progress reports and independently verifiable data showing environmental and social impacts, from restored habitats and reduced emissions to strengthened climate resilience and community initiatives.

Among the first travel companies participating are easyJet holidays, Jet2.com, Jet2holidays and TUI, alongside a growing number of international tourism businesses committed to sustainable tourism.

Speaking at the launch, Jessica de León, Minister of Tourism for the Canary Islands, said:

"We are driving a profound transformation of our tourism model with a very clear objective: to ensure tourism delivers greater benefits for the people of the Canary Islands. REGNEXT is one of the key tools that will help us achieve that ambition.

"For many years we have worked to reduce tourism's environmental impact through greater energy efficiency and lower emissions. Now it is time to go one step further and create a tourism model capable of generating a positive impact on the destination.

"REGNEXT has been created to make tourism an active force for environmental and social regeneration. Through voluntary contributions from visitors, businesses and climate foundations, we can ensure that part of the value tourism generates is reinvested directly into restoring ecosystems, strengthening climate resilience and improving the communities that make our destination so special.

"Most importantly, this places the people of the Canary Islands at the heart of our tourism policy while building a fairer, more sustainable tourism model that delivers greater benefits for everyone."

Projects supported through REGNEXT will include habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation, emissions reduction, climate adaptation, landscape improvement and community initiatives that improve quality of life across the islands such as affordable housing and food banks .

For UK travellers, REGNEXT offers a new way to support the destination they visit without increasing the cost of their holiday through a compulsory tax, while giving travel companies a transparent mechanism for investing in measurable environmental and social outcomes.

Alongside REGNEXT, the Canary Islands Government outlined wider reforms designed to create a better-balanced tourism model, including new legislation regulating holiday rentals.

The Sustainable Regulation of Tourist Use of Residential Properties Act, introduced last December, has already halted the registration of new holiday rental accommodation in 85 of the Canary Islands' 88 municipalities while local authorities determine, through democratic planning processes, how many properties can be sustainably accommodated and where they should be located.

Around 1,500 holiday rental properties have already voluntarily left the Canary Islands Tourism Register, helping achieve what the Government describes as a "soft landing" for the sector.

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Director General for Tourism Planning, Training and Promotion, said:

"Our objective has never been to eliminate holiday rentals but to ensure they develop in a sustainable and properly planned way. For the first time, local authorities will be able to decide where this type of accommodation is appropriate, based on planning, environmental assessment and the needs of local communities.

"The early results are encouraging. We have seen a voluntary reduction in registered properties while creating the conditions for a more balanced tourism model that protects housing, respects urban environments and provides greater certainty for residents, visitors and the tourism industry alike."

Rodríguez also outlined forthcoming reforms covering active tourism businesses and the Canary Islands' first regulatory framework for campsites and camping facilities, aimed at improving quality standards, supporting employment and protecting the islands' natural environment.

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk.

The workshop built on discussions from April´s Spain Talks conference, focusing on how destinations can proactively manage tourism growth before pressures emerge. A key theme throughout the day was that successful destination management is not simply about visitor numbers, but about ensuring tourism supports local communities, protects the natural environment, maintains quality visitor experiences and delivers long-term value.

Participating organisations included ABTA, Brittany Ferries, Exodus Adventure Travels, HF Holidays, Inntravel, Intrepid Travel, Much Better Adventures and Pura Aventura.

Opening the session, Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office UK, highlighted the growth of UK tourism to northern Spain and the opportunity to shape that growth sustainably.

“Last year, the most significant growth in UK visitors to Spain was to our northern regions. As demand continues to grow, we have an opportunity to work with industry partners to ensure tourism creates value for destinations and local communities while supporting year-round travel. Spain and the UK helped shape modern tourism in the 1960s. Today, we have a shared responsibility to help shape a more sustainable model for the future.”

Rebecca Armstrong, Head of Impact at Travel Forward and moderator of the session, said destinations benefit most when tourism development is planned collaboratively and proactively.

“Tourism works best when its direction is shaped early. Asturias and Galicia have an opportunity to plan proactively, bringing destinations and businesses together to focus not just on visitor growth, but on the type of tourism that delivers lasting value for communities, businesses and the environment."

“One of the clearest messages from the discussion was that destinations do have limits, though these are not always best expressed in visitor numbers. More often, they relate to community engagement, environmental protection, infrastructure, quality of experience and preserving what makes a place distinctive.”

Representatives from both destinations outlined their ambitions to grow international tourism in line with sustainability principles, highlighting opportunities across nature, culture, gastronomy and active travel.

José Manuel Merelles, Director of Turismo de Galicia, said international demand for the region continues to grow, creating opportunities to further develop nature, culture and active tourism products.

“The Camino de Santiago remains our most important attraction and a leading example of sustainable tourism. We see a clear opportunity to welcome more international visitors interested in active travel, nature, culture, history and gastronomy.”

Tatiana González Sales, Head of Turismo de Asturias, highlighted the region’s long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism development.

“More than a third of Asturias is protected territory and tourism development must remain in balance with environmental protection. Our tourism model has consistently been built on respect for the natural environment, and we remain committed to working with partners who share those values.”

There was broad agreement among participating operators that Asturias and Galicia are particularly well positioned for lower-impact, higher-value tourism, but that future demand should be carefully managed to protect the qualities that make both destinations distinctive.

Kasia Morgan, Head of Sustainability, Exodus Adventure Travels said:

“Today has provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about Asturias and Galicia beyond their rich product offerings, focusing instead on the type of tourism they want to attract and how to accommodate growth without negative impacts on people and place.

“As a B Corp adventure tour operator, Exodus is committed to offering holidays that prioritise community connection and nature-positive experiences. Working collaboratively across the industry to protect our planet, homes and holidays for the future is hugely important.”

Chris Bladon, Product Lead at Pura Aventura, added:

“At Pura Aventura, it is our mission to introduce visitors to lesser-known areas and more community-based experiences. Clear guidance from destinations on local priorities, capacity and product readiness is hugely valuable.”

The Spanish Tourist Office UK confirmed it will continue working with destinations, tourism businesses and industry partners on further discussions focused on sustainable destination management across Spain.

The workshop forms part of the Spanish Tourist Office UK’s wider programme of industry engagement following Spain Talks 2026, which examined how destinations can respond to growing visitor demand while maintaining quality of life for residents and high-quality visitor experiences.

For further information or interview requests with Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office UK, or representatives from Travel Forward, please contact: Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk.

On 17 February, the Spanish Tourist Office (UK) held a Virtual Media Briefing for UK media, revealing tourism travel trends that point to a more sustainable future for British tourism to Spain. The session, led by Spanish Tourist Office Director Manuel Butler, highlighted two major developments: a clear redistribution of visitor flows beyond the traditional summer peak, and a significant rise in demand for Spain’s northern regions.

UK travellers embrace shoulder seasons, easing pressure on summer peaks:

Spain welcomed 19.1 million UK visitors in 2025, continuing its leading position as an overseas destination for British holidaymakers. But rather than returning to pre‑pandemic patterns, visitor behaviour is evolving in a way that supports a more balanced and sustainable model of tourism. Growth across the year was increasingly concentrated in spring and autumn, while the previously dominant July to August peak stabilised.  

Between January and May 2025, UK arrivals outpaced both 2024 and 2019 levels, with end of year also surging as October to December 2025 recorded double‑digit growth on pre‑pandemic figures, confirming that travellers are travelling to Spain during its cooler, quieter months. Meanwhile, the June to September period remained flat compared to 2019, signalling reduced use of local infrastructures during the hottest and busiest months.

In accommodation trends, hotel overnight stays by British travellers climbed above both 2024 and 2019 benchmarks, but again, the strongest momentum came from visits outside the peak season.

Green Spain leads demand for nature‑rich, low‑impact travel:

The briefing highlighted a second major shift: a surge in British interest in Green Spain, the northern stretch of the peninsula across Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. Known for its Atlantic coastline, forests and mountainous landscapes, the region offers a distinctly slower and more nature‑focused experience, aligning closely with growing UK demand for sustainable and outdoor‑focused travel.

Several destinations recorded remarkable growth, exceeding the national average, as Galicia saw visitors soar by +47.4%, while the Basque Country also reported a major uplift to +40.1%, attracting significantly more travellers seeking food, culture and coastal scenery. Asturias, celebrated for its national parks and wildlife, continued its upward trajectory with solid growth of +18.7%.  

This growing preference for cooler, greener destinations contrasts with the flatter trends in long‑established sun regions such as the Balearic Islands (-0.5%), Catalonia (-1.5%) and Madrid (-3.9%), suggesting a rebalancing of UK demand towards trips with lower environmental impact and a deeper connection to nature.

Under‑the‑radar regions benefit from the sustainability shift:

Alongside the north, several inland and lesser‑known regions also benefitted from shifting travel habits. Aragón recorded the fastest growth of any Spanish region in 2025, with British arrivals surging +167.9%, while the Region of Murcia continued to build momentum up 19% year‑on‑year in UK visitors.

For more information on Spain as a tourist destination, visit https://www.spain.info/en/

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk

Examples of projects financed by the ITS across the islands include:

Ibiza Demolition to Recover the Coastline of Cala d'en Serra

After more than 50 years of being left in disarray, the concrete coastline of Cala d'en Serra will finally be demolished. In the hope of restoring balance to the environment and landscape which best showcases natural beauty in the north of Ibiza, the work will not only help renature the area but also remove all artificial structures that obstruct the landscape.

Calvià to Redevelop Peguera Boulevard to Boost its Tourist Attractions

This redevelopment project remains twofold: on the one hand, it will prevent the decline of one of Mallorca's most renowned tourist destinations; on the other, it will encourage public use of the space all year round. As such, the plan perfectly aligns with the key priorities of the ITS fund: boosting shoulder season tourism and improving urban quality and sustainability.

Menorca to Improve Access Roads to Tourist Hotspots

To reduce reliance on private vehicles, encourage sustainable mobility, and safeguard natural areas that face heavy seasonal pressure, the Menorca Island Council  has developed a comprehensive plan to improve access routes to the island's key tourist sites. In addition to physical upgrades, the initiative aims to promote responsible tourism through interpretation centre and information points that help visitors better understand - and more respectfully engage with - the places they explore.

Ahead of travelling to Spain and its islands, visitors should check the requirements of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) which is gradually being implemented across the destination:

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk

The central goal of the 2030 strategy is to reshape Spain's tourism model toward stable, sustainable growth, ensuring the country maintains its global leadership. This transformation focuses on enhancing competitiveness and profitability, protecting the nation's cultural and natural assets, and ensuring that both the benefits and burdens of tourism are more evenly shared across communities. The strategy is also aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting Spain's commitment to responsible global development. 

Although tourism has long been a cornerstone of Spain's economy - driving growth, employment, and international recognition - the sector now confronts significant shifts. After four decades of evolving from a “sun and beach” model to more quality-focused approaches, the industry faces new social, economic, technological, and environmental realities.

To address this, the strategy lays out the foundations of a new tourism model based on several key principles: socio-economic progress through competitive and innovative products; conservation of natural and cultural heritage; broader social benefits, including support for rural areas facing depopulation; shared governance among all administrative levels; continual adaptation to a rapidly evolving environment; and reinforced international leadership. 

Ahead of travelling to Spain and its islands, visitors should check the requirements of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) which is gradually being implemented across the destination:

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees

For all press enquiries contact Jessica Harvey Taylor on Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es or the Spanish Tourist Office’s PR agency LOTUS on spain@wearelotus.co.uk

Madrid's very own Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza has received the Global Tourism Excellence Award - an international recognition which distinguishes cultural institutions that remain the most highly rated by travellers on TripAdvisor and Google. Recognising the museum's quality visitor experience and service as well as the institution's commitment to the dissemination of art and culture, the museum prevails as one of Madrid's greatest cultural attractions for travellers in search of an enriching escape.

From Van Eyck and Caravaggio to Rembrandt and Monet, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza is home to nearly 1000 paintings by some of the greatest names in art history. Within the permanent collection, seven centuries worth of Western art are on display for visitors enjoyment. Some notable pieces include Edgar Degas' Swaying Dancer (Dancer in Green), 1877-79, and Pablo Picasso's Harlequin with a Mirror, 1923. 

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza's latest temporary exhibition, Warhol, Pollock and other American spaces, is also on show until 25th January 2026. Bringing together the works of two key names in 20th-century art, the exhibition explores how Warhol and Pollock worked on abstraction, repetition, and seriality as a way of offering fresh perspectives on the world they lived in.

As an AENOR accredited museum, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza has integrated accessibility into the core of what they do. With adapted lifts, accessible audio guides, as well as wheelchairs, electric scooters and a baby feeding room on offer for visitors, staff members at the museum always remain on hand to help every individual with their respective needs. 

For more information on Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, please visit: https://www.museothyssen.org/