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Iron Men (and Women) Arrive On Lanzarote

May 6, 2009 – 5:03 pm

On your marks, get set, go.  Lanzarote is limbering up for the biggest sports event of the year.  As over 1300 contestants arrive on the island for the annual Iron Man contest, taking place on Saturday May 23rd.  Widely regarded as the toughest triathlon in the world.    And who are we to disagree – as competitors have to complete a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km marathon.  It’s enough to make you sit down with a cool beer just thinking about it. 

Unsurprisingly many of the entrants don’t even make it as far as the finish line.  With around 90 out of last years field of 1200 dropping out way before the end.  But despite the sacrifices involved and the current economic climate this year’s field is bigger than ever.  As these crazy endurance experts battle it out for a large cash prize and a place in the Iron Man Grand Final, which is staged later this year in Hawaii.

2009 will be the 19th year that Lanzarote has hosted the Iron Man event. Which is organised by the people at the La Santa sports complex in the north of the island in Tinajo.  And as in previous years the police and an an army of unpaid volunteers will be closing down roads and handling the traffic as the competitors whizz around the island.

All of the action kicks off in Puerto del Carmen at 7am.  When the entrants start the swim stage of the event on the main beach.  Before heading off round the island on their bikes.  They then return to Puerto del Carmen to run the marathon along the main seafront strip – the Avenida de las Playas.  Which runs alongside the beach. 

If you are enjoying a holiday on the island, perhaps in one of the many villas in Puerto del Carmen, then this is the best place for spectators to watch – not least as by this stage the competitors are exhausted and their endurance really comes into play.The race leaders can expect to complete the course in around nine hours.  Yes, that’s right. Nine hours of non-stop exercise.  But the finishing line stays open until midnight as the rest of the field stumbles home.

This year’s event is being filmed by Eurosport, although not for live broadcast.  Instead a special recorded highlights show will be going out in early June.  But either way the event is a great spectacle and a good advert for the island.  As much of the action takes place against the backdrop of Lanzarote´s breathtaking volcanic countryside. 

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Lanzarote Tourist Arrivals Fall 20%

April 22, 2009 – 3:16 pm

Tourist numbers continue to go into reverse across Spain and the Canary Islands.  With Lanzarote amongst one of the worst affected destinations.  According to the latest figures released by AENA – the body that operates airports across Spain.

According to AENA the number of tourists visiting Lanzarote dropped dramatically last month - by nearly 20%.  Falling from 169,065 arrivals in March 2008 to 135,674.  A decline of 19.75%.  And whilst this can partly be attributed to the fact that the busy Easter period fell in March last year there is no hiding the downward negative trend across the first quarter of this year.  As arrivals have dropped by nearly 80,000 tourists in the first three months of 2009.  A 17.36% decline versus the same period last year.  And the worst performance of any of the seven Canary Islands.

By comparison first quarter visitor numbers on Gran Canaria have fallen by 11.55%, on La Palma by 12.9%, on Tenerife by 16.19% and on Fuerteventura, by 16.28%. 

Lanzarote´s sharper decline can largely be attributed to the islands heavy dependence on British tourism.  Last year alone for example visitors from the UK comprised 55% of the total of 1.5 million tourist arrivals on flights to Lanzarote.  Now British consumers are being squeezed by the double whammy of the falling pound and the credit crunch many are clearly opting to either holiday at home or outside of the euro zone.

All other key markets are feeling the squeeze too – albeit to a slightly lesser extent.  Germany – Lanzarote´s second largest source of visitor numbers – has sent 13.95% less tourists during the first quarter of this year.  Whilst the Irish market has also now entered negative territory – with arrivals from Eire falling by 10.87% across the same three month period versus 2008 figures.

Inevitably, tumbling tourist numbers are starting to impact upon most sectors of Lanzarote´s economy.  Which is almost totally reliant on tourism.  Bar and restaurant closures are gathering apace – especially in the main resort of Puerto del Carmen.  Whilst occupancy levels in hotels, villas and apartments in Lanzarote are also on the slide.

The Lanzarote property market is also struggling – as overseas investment dries up.  And local banks continue to apply strict mortgage lending criteria. With the weak state of sterling doing little to tempt British buyers back into the market place.  Despite the fact that prices are falling.

It will be interesting to see what impact, if any, Easter has had on this overall negative trend when AENA releases their next set of figures next month.

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Spring Edition of Lanzarote Guidebook Out Now

April 1, 2009 – 12:12 pm

The latest edition of Lanzarote Guidebook - the in depth island tourist guide - is out now.  And anyone with an interest in Lanzarote or with plans to visit the island can get their hands on a copy entirely free of charge.  As the Spring edition can be downloaded fast and for free via the Lanzarote Guidebook website. 

If you are on the island you can pick up a copy at tourist information offices in all of the main resorts, at branches of the car hire company Autos Feber, from selected Lanzarote hotels such as the Gran Melia Salinas in Costa Teguise and from attractions such as the El Grifo Wine Museum. 

Many holidaymakers staying in villas in Lanzarote will also find a copy in their welcome pack on arrival.  Especially if they have booked with companies such as Premier Holidays, Whitebeach Holidays, Luxury Villas Lanzarote and Lanzarote1, to name but a few.

The Spring edition of Lanzarote Guidebook contains 96 pages packed with information about the island.  As well as some great visuals of the island from local photographer James Mitchell.  All in a handy A5 pocket friendly format
That is easy to carry around throughout your holiday.

Find out what’s happening on the island over the coming months in the Agenda section. Learn more about the work of the island born artist Cesar Manrique.  Read up on all of the attractions, resorts and places to visit on Lanzarote.  Including more off the beaten track attractions, as well as the more popular favourites such as the Timanafaya Volcano Park and the Jameos del Agua.

The current edition of Lanzarote Guidebook also contains a guide to the best beaches on the island, information about all of Lanzarote’s museums, the best excursions on the island and an in-depth guide to each resort.  Along with an Essentials section that covers off all of the practical pointers – from changing money through to hiring a car.

Lanzarote Guidebook has been written by long term island residents – so it contains plenty of inside information.  And as it is published quarterly it is always accurate and up to date.  Unlike most conventional Guidebooks which are obsolete by the time they hit the bookshelves.

Visitors to the Lanzarote Guidebook website can also keep up to date with all of the latest island news and information – and can access a wealth of information, such as interactive maps.  As well as being able to plan and book their own holidays online – as the site features a large selection of the best Lanzarote hotels, villas and apartments.

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Tourist Arrivals Fall In January

February 24, 2009 – 6:43 pm

Lanzarote´s all important tourist industry took a knock in January.  As despite positive news about forward bookings for the rest of the year from the likes of Monarch the number of foreign tourist arrivals fell by over 12% last month versus 2008 figures.  Following on from an already disappointing December. With the biggest falls apparent in the UK market – which is Lanzarote´s most important source of visitors by some distance.

AENA´s monthly update on arrivals from non-Spanish nations revealed a big drop in British tourists.  Which suggests that the weakened pound and the apparently crippled domestic economy are all now starting to impact upon consumer confidence and expenditure in the UK.  Which has potentially worrying consequences for Lanzarote´s tourist industry.

British visitors account for well over 50% of the 1.5 million foreign tourist arrivals at Arrecife airport each year.  Dwarfing other nationalities – with Germany lagging behind in a distant second place with something in the region of 340,000 arrivals.  And the Republic of Ireland in third with some 230,000 arrivals (an incredible figure for a nation with a population of around 4 million).

British arrivals fell by 17.32% from 66,860 in January 2008 to 55,281 last month.  And that follows a disastrous December when arrivals from the UK dropped by over 20% year on year.

German visitor numbers declined too – down by 11.84%.  With drops also recorded in virtually every other key market.  With the sole exception of Eire – who actually sent more visitors to the island last month than in January 2008.  Albeit only just over 3% more.

According to ASOLAN - the islands leading hoteliers association - the number of people staying in apartment complexes and hotels in Lanzarote also fell fairly dramatically – down to around the 65% level.  Although their numbers obviously exclude the sizeable private villas market.

Either way though the islands tourist industry is clearly enduring tough times and with economic recovery some way off in the UK it seems reasonable to conclude that these patters are likely to continue.  Which could translate into a drop in business from the UK of anywhere between 15-20% if maintained across the course of 2009.

All this of course will impact upon demand for all sorts of ancillary services.  For example the demand for car hire in Lanzarote is likely to go into reverse.  Whilst the islands property market has already cooled to an arctic extent.

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Lanzarote Holiday Bookings Increase in January

February 11, 2009 – 5:14 pm

The number of British consumers booking holidays and flights to Lanzarote jumped by 13% last month.  According to statistics just released by the leading UK travel group, Monarch Holidays.  Allaying widespread fears that British tourists might be about to turn their back on the Canaries for other destinations outside the euro zone.  Such as Turkey and Egypt.  As a result of the recent depreciation of sterling against the euro. 

However the Monarch figures reveal that bookings in fact increased last month by 13% versus the same period in 2008.  With Lanzarote sitting in second place in the company’s league table of hot winter sun destinations behind close Canarian cousin, Tenerife.  Further good news for the many overseas owners of apartments and villas in Lanzarote came from leading island travel portal Lanzarote Guidebook.  Who also saw a surge in interest in holidays on the Island of Fire last month.  With enquiries for holiday accommodation on the island jumping by just over 14% versus the same month in 2008.  Playa Blanca, the newest of Lanzarote´s resorts, located in the south of the island proved to be the most popular destination overall for anyone planning a self catering break.  And holiday villas in Playa Blanca also proved more popular than in any other resort – accounting for 42.7% of all enquiries for this type of accommodation. 

Holiday makers seeking an apartment in Lanzarote focused their search on Puerto del Carmen.  Which was the source of 56.6% of all demand.  Reflecting the fact that the islands oldest holiday destination has a higher concentration of complexes than any other resort on the island. Overall, demand for holiday villas outweighed interest in apartments by a ratio of 4:1. Which can partly be explained by the fact that many hotels on the island now offer such reasonable room rates in conjunction with the main tour operators that the complexes find it increasingly hard to compete. 

The news will come as welcome relief to the many overseas owners of holiday property in Lanzarote.  As many island observers feared that the declining UK economy in tandem with the weakening pound could deal Lanzarote´s all important tourist industry a double blow.  However the Monarch and Lanzarote Guidebook figures suggest that this may well not be the case.  As Monarch account for around 30% of all UK tourist traffic to the island – which totalled well over 800,000 holidaymakers during the course of 2008.

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Lanzarote Tourism - The Year Ahead

January 20, 2009 – 6:22 pm

Given the current economic crisis sweeping through key markets such as the UK and Eire what is the outlook for Lanzarote´s tourist industry in 2009?   

The most recent figures released by the Spanish airport authority AENA reveal that foreign tourist visits have only dropped by 1.09% during the course of last year.  With Lanzarote welcoming a total of 1,587,237 non-Spanish nationals over the last twelve months.  With tourism from the UK, Lanzarote´s number one market, up for the year – albeit by only 1.9%.  However the AENA statistics also reveal a dramatic drop in the number of visitors from the UK during the course of December – down from 74,167 visitors in 2007 to just 55,024 in 2008.  Suggesting that the full effect of the credit crunch and the falling pound only really started to take effect at the tail end of last year. 

Overall, foreign visitor numbers in December fell from 146,240 to 116,850 – a drop of just under 30,000 tourists.  The bulk of them British. Which if repeated across the course of 2009 could translate into a something approaching a 20% drop in foreign tourist visits.    However, this scenario may yet not come to pass and it is important to note that many British consumers may have just decided to pull in their spending during the run in to Christmas.   

Leading accommodation rental websites are currently reporting good levels of demand for apartments and holiday villas in Lanzarote.  Whilst airlines such as Monarch have already confirmed the addition of extra flight services from May 2009 onwards. 

The Lanzarote property market however does look set to take more of a hit.  As the worldwide freeze in property transactions look set to continue until banks are once again forced to lend.  And British buyers find themselves less able to leverage value out of their existing home to finance the purchase of holiday accommodation abroad.  On the upside, Lanzarote will be boosted by the release this year of the new Pedro Almodovar movie, Broken Embraces, starring Penelope Cruz.  Which is expected to have a similar Hollywood halo effect to Mama Mia´s impact on tourism to the Greek island of Skopelos.   The rejuvenation of Puerto del Carmen also continues apace – and will ultimately help to transform Lanzarote´s busiest resort into a more attractive holiday destination.

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New Flights To Lanzarote Announced

January 6, 2009 – 6:56 pm

In a timely boost for the islands tourist industry two of Europe´s biggest low fare operators have just announced the addition of new flights to Lanzarote from Gatwick and Belfast International Airports.   

Luton based Monarch Airlines will be adding an additional service to the island out of Gatwick from May 1st 2009.  As a result of what the company describes as “Strong demand from customers taking advantage of early flight booking offers.”   Commenting on the additional services, managing director of Monarch’s scheduled service division, Liz Savage said “We have already seen strong demand for our Summer 2009 services, and particularly the Spanish Islands which have been left underserved by the failure and withdrawal of a number of airlines during 2008. Monarch currently offers a fantastic schedule of flights to the Canary and Balearic Islands and is already market leader on many of these routes. The addition of the extra flights will mean that more people can now take advantage of Monarch’s low fares and get away for less next summer”. 

The new additional service from Gatwick Airport starts on May 1st with flight tickets available from £52.99 one way, including taxes. 

Meanwhile Aer Lingus have just announced that they also plan to increase their services to Lanzarote during Summer 2009 from Belfast International Airport, the Irish airlines first base outside the Republic. 

The news makes welcome reading for the many overseas owners of Lanzarote holiday villas and apartments. As despite the fact that tourist numbers from the UK have risen during 2008 versus 2007 figures there is currently plenty of trepidation about what the coming year will bring.  Given the current economic climate in the key UK market.  Over the course of 2008 British tourists accounted for well over 50% of all visits made to Lanzarote by non-Spanish nationals.  And with the recent fall in the value of sterling against the euro there is no shortage of uncertainty as to how bookings will stand up over the coming months.

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Rural Hotels in Lanzarote

December 15, 2008 – 5:18 pm

Whilst agriculture was once the mainstay of the local population, nowadays it is the peace and quiet of the countryside that attracts visitors to the Island of Fire. And there´s a growing selection of top quality rural hotels in Lanzarote  for visitors to choose from.  

Casa Tomaren 

The finca at Casa Tomaren offers high-quality accommodation and catering within a delightful country setting. It has six independent units, dotted about in amongst the beautiful tropical gardens and pool area.   Decorated in a mixture of Moroccan, Indonesian and Spanish styles the accommodation offers every comfort, and can cater for parties of two to seven. In addition, wellness and activity packages can be arranged – with the options of yoga, hiking and sailing on offer.  The restaurant creates home made and vegetarian food for guests. A stay in one of the smaller units, such as Dewa, costs from 90€ per night.  Visit the Casa Tomaren website for more information. 

Finca de Arrieta  

Similarly, the Finca de Arrieta offers rural accommodation, with the notable difference that it is run as an eco-finca, using solar and wind power. Within walking distance to the beach at Arrieta, the finca’s four bedrooms provide luxurious self-catering accommodation.  Within the grounds, which cover some 30,000 square metres, there are Indonesian day beds, an honesty bar, swimming pool and open air dining rooms to optimise relaxation for guests. There is also an eco-yurt for those looking for something out of the ordinary.  Prices for a week’s stay start at £781.  Visit Lanzarote Retreats for more information.

Casona de Yaiza 

The Casona de Yaiza successfully combines a quiet, rural setting with a quality dining establishment and an art gallery. With eight spacious en-suite rooms, each individually and eclectically decorated, the hotel can be found in the tranquil

village of

Yaiza. Making it an ideal base for visitors who wish to explore the volcanic region of Timanfaya or the La Geria wine-growing area which are both close by.  The food served in Bodega Lagar is modern international, with exquisite presentation, whilst the hotel’s gallery is located in what used to be the water-storage tank.  A double room at the Casona de Yaiza starts at 110€ per night.  

Caserio de Mozaga 

A renovated farmhouse is now the site of the Caserio de Mozaga, a small hotel and restaurant in the village of Mozaga. With several rooms opening on to a traditional Canarian patio, the traditional architecture has been lovingly preserved.  Guests are welcome to enjoy the extensive gardens, where indigenous plants thrive in amongst the lava flows. And can dine on local dishes in the restaurant, which has been converted from what used to be the stable block and where live music is often laid on for Saturday night.  A double room at the Caserio de Mozaga starts at 90€ per night.  Hotelito El Golfo 

There are very few places to stay on the western coast of Lanzarote, making the Hotelito El Golfo something of a rarity. Situated in the village of El Golfo, there is no shortage of restaurants to choose from just on the doorstep, especially if fresh fish is your thing.  The hotel has nine en-suite rooms and a swimming pool, surrounded by terraces from which guests can watch the sun set. The price for a double room is 60€ per night. 

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Rejuvenation of Puerto del Carmen

November 7, 2008 – 6:53 pm

Could Puerto del Carmen soon become the new Puerto Banus?  Okay it may well be a bit of a stretch.  Especially given the current run down state of the island’s most popular resort.   

But there are big plans are afoot to rejuvenate Puerto del Carmen in a bid to reinvent tourism in the resort and take it upmarket.  An initiative that is backed with a multi million euro budget.   Central to this scheme is the transformation of the Old Town Harbour area into a marina.  A move which may well be motivated by a desire to emulate the success of Puerto Calero just a few miles along the coastline. 

Certainly though the addition of new jetties which will attract luxury yachts is likely to help attract a more affluent type of tourist to the resort.  And must surely have some sort of positive impact on the price of property in Puerto del Carmen and the surrounding environs. 

To a large extent Puerto del Carmen has become a victim of its own success.  This is the spot where tourism on Lanzarote first took off – and the resort has obviously started to fray around the edges after thirty years of non stop package tourism.    The problem that this presents for the island authorities is that if this deterioration to infrastructure and facilities is left unaddressed tourists – the bedrock of the islands economy – will simply start to defect to newer, better appointed destinations, such as Dubai for example.  A scenario that absolutely must be averted in order to maintain both Puerto del Carmen and Lanzarotre´s ongoing viability as a popular holiday destination. 

Other projects currently underway include the part pedestrianisation of the Avenida de las Playas.  A move that is long overdue as currently pedestrians come second to cars – with people having to literally jostle fos space at certain points along the main 6km long beachfront strip. 

Another much needed plan is the proposal to harmonise all of the fascias and shop fronts along the Aneida in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing unified image.  As currently the endless sea of neon signs does little to promote the idea that Puerto del Carmen is a contemporary holiday destination.  Island authorities have already made a decent job of the newer developments in Puerto Calero and the Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca.  And if this level of quality can be reproduced in Puerto del Carmen than the resorts ongoing viability as a popular holiday destination could be secured for years to come. Which will be welcome news for the owners of villas and holiday apartments in Puerto del Carmen.  One question remaining is how the island authorities plan to tackle the current plethora of poor quality accommodation in the resort.  As their stated aim is to ensure that all complexes are of a four start quality and above. A detailed CD Rom presentation illustrating the upcoming changes can be viewed at the official website for the resort http://www.puertodelcarmen.com

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More Flights to Lanzarote Announced

October 21, 2008 – 5:29 pm

In a double dose of good news for Lanzarote´s tourist industry low cost flights operator Monarch has announced the addition of extra flights to Lanzarote across this Christmas and New Year period in order to cope with an increase in demand.  Whilst newly formed airline Kiss Flights has confirmed that Lanzarote will be one of their main flight destinations starting for the summer season of 2009. Monarch has already up weighted their flights to theIsland of

Fire throughout October in order to meet an increase in demand.  With extra services available every Thursday from Gatwick airport.  And now they will also be laying on extra flights across the festive period too.  

According to Monarch´s Liz Savage:” The additional flights are great news for Monarch customers looking to get away this Christmas. Early indicators show that our customers are considering the Christmas getaway as important as ever and are continuing to snap up Monarch’s low fares in their droves. With 64 additional flights being added into the flying programme offering in excess of 12,000 further seats, getting away for Christmas has never been easier”.

The extra flights are also great news for the owners of villas and holiday apartments in Lanzarote.  Not least as they come at a time when some airlines are reducing their services to other destinations.  And they will de departing from major UK airports such as Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick.  

 

Elsewhere newly formed flight only operators Kiss have evolved from the ashes of Freedom Flights – which was the flights only arm of XL Holidays.  Under the aegis if Gatwick based flight brokers Meridian Aviation.From May 2009 they will be offering a once weekly service to Lanzarote from Gatwick with a scheduled departure time of 05.00.  With return services leaving Arrecife airport at 10.05.  Seat costs at the time of writing were coming in at around £200 for a return in May on the Kiss Flights website. Both announcements will be welcomed by owners of holiday property in Lanzarote.  Who expect to benefit from an upsurge in business from independent travellers and tourists.

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