Canary Islands Now Let Tourists Swap Their Tax for Voluntary Donations

The Canary Islands Tourism Regeneration and Nature Recovery Fund (REGNEXT)

According to УНІАН — Туризм: The Canary Islands Government, together with the Spanish Tourist Office in the United Kingdom, has unveiled a new initiative called the Canary Islands Tourism Regeneration and Nature Recovery Fund (REGNEXT). Instead of paying a mandatory tourist tax, visitors can now choose to make voluntary contributions to sustainable development projects. This program will be rolled out across all seven islands in the archipelago:

• Tenerife
• Gran Canaria
• Lanzarote
• Fuerteventura
• La Palma
• La Gomera
• El Hierro

The REGNEXT Fund will finance environmental and community-based projects without imposing a compulsory tourist levy. Tourists can donate online, choosing to support specific initiatives focused on:

• restoring natural habitats
• preserving biodiversity
• reducing emissions
• adapting to climate change
• improving landscapes
• creating affordable housing solutions

Several travel companies are already on board, including easyJet holidays, Jet2.com, Jet2holidays, and Tui.

The REGNEXT program is designed to turn tourism into an active driver of environmental and social renewal. With voluntary contributions from visitors, businesses, and climate funds, we can ensure that part of the value created by tourism is reinvested directly into restoring ecosystems, building climate resilience, and improving the lives of the communities that make our destination so special.

Jessica de León, Minister of Tourism for the Canary Islands

Overtourism in Spain has sparked widespread protests from local residents, underscoring the relevance of the REGNEXT initiative. This new approach to funding sustainable development could mark a significant step toward addressing tourism-related challenges and improving the environmental health of the Canary Islands.

The REGNEXT initiative responds to growing concerns about the negative impact of mass tourism on ecosystems and local communities. By giving tourists a direct role in funding conservation and community projects, the program aims to turn visitors into active participants in preserving the natural environment. This model could serve as a blueprint for other tourist destinations seeking to enhance sustainability and foster a better relationship with nature.