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Viewing Lanzarote in Spain's Canary Islands Defies Credit CrunchLanzarote in Spain's Canary Islands Defies Credit Crunch
By Teguise
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Tourist numbers to Lanzarote keep on climbing, despite a faltering UK economy and the impact of the credit crunch. According to research recently released by AENA (the Spanish airport authority), tourist visits from the UK have in fact increased. Expectations that the credit crunch, weakening Pound, and diminishing disposable incomes have sounded the death knell for foreign holidays appear a little wide of the mark. Specific markets, such as Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, are reporting a bumper increase in British visitor numbers for the first half of 2008. According to research recently released by AENA (the Spanish airport authority), tourist visits from the UK have in fact increased by a whopping 15.6% during the first half of this year, in comparison with the same period in 2007; with the Island welcoming 509,755 British guests up until the end of June, 2008. And it's not just the British who are refusing to give up their holidays in the sun. Irish visitor numbers have increased too - with 123,047 tourists from Eire traveling to Lanzarote over the same period. This is a rise of 5.4% on 2007 figures - and an indication of the Island's incredible popularity in the Republic, with Lanzarote attracting more Irish visitors annually than any other destination in Spain. Other key markets, such as Holland, Austria, Norway, and Sweden have also helped contribute to an overall increase in foreign visitor numbers of 5.6% during the first half of 2008. Germany is the only major market returning negative figures - down 13% to date on 2007. The Canary Island Tourist Board has also recently reported that the number of Spanish nationals visiting Lanzarote is on the rise too - up 3.7% during the first half of 2008. Collectively, these figures represent the best first half-annual performance that Lanzarote has enjoyed for many years - a trend which if continued will see the Island break the one million British tourist visits barrier for the first time since 2003. This makes happy reading for the owners of apartments and holiday villas in Lanzarote. Many thousands of British and Irish overseas investors have taken the plunge into the Lanzarote property market over the last decade. They are attracted by the fact that the Island's year round temperate climate creates twelve months' worth of rental returns - a claim that no other European sunspots can really match. In addition, these owners will have enjoyed annual capital appreciation of around 9% per annum, representing an attractive return on their initial investment. And with the Lanzarote tourist market remaining buoyant, many owners of holiday accommodation on the Island are reporting bumper bookings for the year ahead. These projections are also reflected by locally based holiday companies - many of whom have registered an increase in bookings of around 15% for the second half of 2008 versus 2007 figures. The fact that Lanzarote and the Canary Islands are just four hours' flying time from the UK, but guarantee sunshine all year round, is a major factor in the islands ongoing success. It now accounts for around 1 in 13 British visitors to Spain. The Canaries also remain a very affordable destination in relation to many other resorts worldwide. This will obviously be a major consideration for many consumers given the current economic conditions. About the Author: Nick Ball is editor of Lanzarote Guidebook, the in-depth tourist information guide for Lanzarote. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) |
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