Key facts
- The Canary Islands have launched a voluntary tourist tax initiative called RegNext.
- The funds will support local sustainability projects such as reducing emissions and habitat restoration.
- The initiative aims to make tourism more sustainable and benefit local communities.
- Several major travel companies, including easyJet holidays, TUI, and Expedia, are collaborating on the project.
- The program will be implemented across all seven Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands are introducing a voluntary tourist tax, named RegNext, to fund local sustainability projects and promote regenerative tourism. Unlike mandatory levies seen elsewhere, this initiative enlists travelers to contribute to environmental and community initiatives across the archipelago's seven islands.
The program aims to channel tourism revenue into nature restoration, climate resilience, and community benefits, with projects monitored for outcomes such as emissions reduction, habitat recovery, and green job creation. The Spanish Tourist Office in the UK is supporting the initiative, which seeks to position the Canary Islands as a leader in sustainable tourism.
Several major travel industry organizations, including easyJet holidays, TUI, Expedia, Jet2, and Jet2holidays, have signed memorandums of understanding to support RegNext. UN Tourism also backed the agreement, emphasizing the importance of tourism actively supporting destinations and their communities.
In 2025, the Canary Islands welcomed 18.4 million visitors, with the tourism sector providing jobs for over 280,000 people. The RegNext fund will initially focus on five pilot projects, including one social project covering the entire archipelago and four others on islands with the highest tourism pressure.