Lanzarote Tourism Shines through difficult year around Europe

Its been a difficult year for many.  All over Europe the economy has been turned on its head.  Countries requiring bailouts, companies making redundancies and yet little Lanzarote has still recorded an increase on tourist figures from 2010.

Thanks to its climate and close proximity to the Sahara Desert, Lanzarote is an all year round holiday destination, and very popular with people looking for either Summer sun or a Winter break.  The three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca offer tourists an excellent choice of 5 star luxury hotels, apartment complexes and private villas.

The Centro de Datos, has reported that foreign arrivals through Lanzarote Airport (ACE) for 2011 are up 17.82%  with foreign tourists accounting for an 18.81% increase against the period of January to October in 2010.

So why is Lanzarote doing so well?

There are few candidates for reasons as to why Lanzarote has had such a good year.  Over the last 12 months we have seen a number of airlines ,such as Jet2, increasing the number of scheduled flights being made to Lanzarote.  Naturally, this has helped the island become more accessible to more people.  

The Lanzarote tourist board are also upping their game in terms of marketing, not only the island, but the resorts, events and attractions within.  

Its not just the British....

It isn't only the British Tourists who are deciding that, no matter how difficult times are financially, they will not relinquish their summer or winter breaks in the Sun.  Indeed, this trend follows similar patterns across debt stricken Europe with German, Irish, Swedish and Italian tourists all flocking to the island.  During October Italian tourists to Lanzarote increased by a whopping 393.90% with a recorded 4188 tourists in October 2011 against just 848 in October 2010.

And this is welcoming news for Hotel and Villa owners. The increase in tourist numbers has naturally meant to an increase in accommodation occupancy. Recorded occupancy rates for October were up 7.7% on 2010 .  Out of the three main resorts, Playa Blanca recorded the highest occupancy figures for October with 82.59% across hotels, villas/bungalows and apartments.

As Lanzarote continues to enjoy such a great year its focus now turns to the busy festive season as people around Europe look to swap the commercial Christmas environment of Europe for the more subtle approach taken by the Spanish residents and businesses of Lanzarote.

Lanzarote - Hotels, Apartments and Villas

The popular holiday destination of Lanzarote is blessed with a year round warm climate.  It is because of this that holiday makers flock to the island all year round.  This means that the island enjoys year round tourism and there is very little 'seasonal' drop in the tourism trade.

People who fly to Lanzarote will usually stay in one of three different types of accommodation.  A luxury Hotel, an Apartment either within a complex or standalone or a Villa / Bungalow.  The type of accommodation is really down to personal preference and possibly budget, but you don't have to spend the earth on accommodation to enjoy your holiday in Lanzarote, as lets face it, you shouldn't be spending too much time in it!

Luxury Hotels in Lanzarote tend to be spread out rather than built up.  This is due to a building restriction on the land that means that any building must not be taller than a certain height.  Unfortunately, it does appear that some of the larger chains of hotels on the island have been built illegally and contravene the regulations, but I don't see them disappearing any time soon!

In a luxury hotel you can expect to get well looked after from the moment you arrive.  From porters taking your luggage to a friendly welcome at the check-in desk.  The rooms are generally well furnished and maintained and include a bed (or beds), TV, minibar and shower / bathroom.  Meals in the hotels are usually served in a dining area, but of course in many cases it is never to far to venture out into the resort where restaurants are to be found a plenty.

If you fancy something a little more 'practical' then a self contained apartment might be for you.  There are many different apart-hotel complexes on Lanzarote that usually have their own pool (or pools), on site facilities such as shops and bars, and they give you the freedom to decide if you want to eat in or out.  Apartments usually come with a living area, kitchen area, bathroom and bedroom - so its like living at home on holiday!

Villas and Bungalows are generally the same as apart-hotels apart from the fact that they are privately owned and will usually be furnished to a higher standard.  They will also sleep more bodies.  For larger families or 'groups' Villas are usually a very cost effective way to rent accommodation for your holiday as you tend to pay for the Villa, and not for the number of people staying in it.  Most Villas in Lanzarote tend to have a small private pool and terrace area where you can enjoy the weather that the island has to offer.

The choice of accommodation is usually down to personal preference, what you can afford and what type of holiday you are looking for.  

Why you should consider hiring a car when on holiday in Lanzarote

Lanzarote, popular with europeans as a holiday destination, is the perfect location for people looking for year round sunshine. Wether its a one week of two week vacation, the climate, food and culture can certainly make for a relaxing and entertaining holiday. One of the big pulls to Lanzarote is the weather but there is a lot more that the island has to offer holiday makers who fancy venturing outside of their resort.

One of the easiest and most convenient ways of exploring the island outside of your resort is by car. There is no shortage of car hire companies in Lanzarote, and you will probably see more than one branch of the same company in any of the resorts.

Car hire in Lanzarote is very reasonably priced as is the cost of fuel. The reality is that as Lanzarote is such as small island you would do well to get through a full tank in a week, even if you visit all the attractions and towns on the map!

In terms of the type of car on offer, you can pretty much get whatever you fancy driving. Be it a small economical car, a family MPV or a convertible sports car to enjoy the sunshine in!

So why would you hire a car when on holiday in Lanzarote?

Visiting the attractions...

There are a number of attractions spread out around the island - some natural and some man made - some a combination of the two - but some of them aren't accessible from the main resorts without a car or excursion. Attractions such as the Timanfaya National Park, Guinate Tropical Park, Rancho Texas Park and the Lanzarote Water Park are all worth a visit and then there is the famous Mirador del Rio, Green Caves and Jameos del Agua that provide a perspective on the culture and history of the island.

Visiting other resorts...

Been to Lanzarote before but always end up staying in the same resort Why not venture further afield and spend a day in one of the other resorts. Maybe take a trip into Arrecife to see what 'city' life is like on the island.

Sampling the 'Real' Lanzarote

Lanzarote isn't just about the holiday resorts. By jumping in a car and driving around you will pass through some quiet, rural parts of the island such as the Wine Regions. Drive through Haria and the valley of 1000 Palms and sample what real Lanzarote towns are like.

Finally, if you like your shopping then a trip up to Teguise Market on a Sunday is a great way to empty your wallet on gifts for both yourself and the family back at home.

Whilst the weather on Lanzarote is usually pretty good, from time to time the sun might not show. It might even rain! Jumping in a car on an 'off' day is a great and cost effective way of seeing Lanzarote at your own pace.

Lanzarote Tourism Figures April 2011

Lanzarote Visitor numbers continued to increase in April 2011, some say perhaps down to the continued unrest in the Middle East.

According to ASOLAN Lanzarote welcomed 159,693 foreign visitors during April - some 58,249 more than the same period in 2010. An increase of 57%.

To follow the trend reported occupancy shows an increase of 15.47% from the same period in 2010.

ASOLAN figures also report a 15% increase in occupancy in Lanzarote hotels, apartments and apart-hotels. The rise in occupancy has been steady throughout 2011 with the first quarter reports showing an increase of 13.79%

The dramatic increase in visitor numbers can be partly thanked by the fact that Easter fell in April this year.

Source : http://www.asolan.com