Tourism Soars By 30% On Lanzarote

Despite speculation that this summer could prove tough for overseas holiday destinations all early indicators suggest that Lanzarote in the Canary Islands will be bucking this trend.  As foreign tourist arrivals soared by nearly 30% in July, versus July 2009 figures.  With both the British and German markets returning highly encouraging figures.

The relative weakness of sterling versus the single European currency and a growing trend towards stay-cations in the UK had led many observes to suggest that key European holiday destinations could suffer this summer.  However the release of the latest figures from the Spanish airport authority AENA reveal that foreign tourism has boomed on Lanzarote during July.  With the number of foreign tourists arriving on flights to Lanzarote soaring by nearly 30%.  From 114,000 arrivals in July 2009 to 146,403 arrivals last month.

This stunning recovery totally outperforms the 5% average increase recorded in foreign tourism during the first six months of the year on this popular holiday island.  And suggest that Lanzarote is now well on its way to recovery as the arrival figures are only 4% short of tourist numbers recorded in July 2008, prior to the full onset of the economic crisis.

The UK is Lanzarote´s key tourist market.  And arrivals from Britain grew by 34.41% last month versus July 2009. As a total of 81,118 visitors from the UK touched down at Arrecife airport.  The German market also outperformed expectations, with an upswing in visitor numbers of 44%.  With arrivals rising by 44% – from 17,385 holiday makers in July 2009 to 25,127 last month.  However Eire, Lanzarote´s third largest market returned disappointing figures with arrivals remaining largely static at just over 19,000 tourists.

These highly encouraging figures certainly make very happy reading for the many thousands of owners of property in Lanzarote.  Many of whom have invested in holiday rental properties here.  Attracted by the islands year round holiday season and buoyant tourist industry.  As well as local estate agents, many of whom are now reporting an upswing in enquires and transactions during the fist six months of this year.  Aided by the recent recovery of sterling against the Euro.

Property prices on the island also remain attractive for foreign investors.  As the cost of apartments and villas in Lanzarote are back down at 2003 levels.  Creating genuine opportunities for those in a position to buy.  And with so few stable alternatives currently available, thanks to low stock market returns and interest rates in the UK,  Lanzarote is starting to look like a viable investment option once more.