Credit crunch. What credit crunch? That seems to be the message from British consumers. As new figures just released reveal that British visitor numbers to Lanzarote have in fact increased by 6% to October end this year.
Despite the current economic climate British tourists are still flocking to the small Canary Island of Lanzarote. According to Spanish airport operators AENA. News that will make welcome reading for the many overseas investors who own holiday property in Lanzarote.
Lanzarote has in fact been a popular destination for British tourists for decades. As the island has a great year round climate and is just four hours flying time from the UK. Making it one of the closest winter sun destinations to Britain.
As a Spanish owned island local customs and culture are all fairly familiar to British guests. As Spain is the most popular holiday destination in the world for UK tourists. And cheap flights to Lanzarote (2) are also readily available, thanks to operators such as Monarch and easyJet. Who service the island from most of the major airports in the UK.
The AENA figures show that British tourists make up more than half of all visits to the island by non-Spanish nationals. Accounting for 708,506 of the total of 1,341,556 passenger arrivals.
Visitor numbers from the Republic of Ireland have also increased across this same period. Up by 1.39%. So further reinforcing Lanzarote´s position as the most popular holiday destination in Spain for Irish tourists.
And big gains have also been recorded in other key markets such as Scandinavia. With visitor numbers from Sweden up by Up 35.07% year on year followed by Norway (up 19.6%) and Finland (up 14.33%).
However the picture isn´t so rosy in Lanzarote´s second largest market place, Germany. Where visitor numbers have been in long term decline as German consumers desert the island in favor of other, newer holiday destinations.
Here, tourist arrivals are down by 13.23% - a worrying decline that is being addressed by island tourist authorities with a large scale marketing campaign designed to win back these missing German guests.
Overall however tourist numbers to the island remain positive – up by 1.1% for the year to date. So confounding speculation that the credit crunch could spell the end for holidays abroad.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Lanzarote´s Main Resort Undergoes Redevelopment
Lanzarote´s leading holiday resort is about to undergo a radical redevelopment.
As island authorities press ahead with plans to reinvent tourism in Puerto del Carmen. The engine room of both the Lanzarote property market and the island´s holiday industry, which accounts for around 90% of Lanzarote´s GDP. Encompassing the creation of a new luxury marina which some observers believe could transform the resort into the Puerto Banus of the Canary Islands.
Puerto del Carmen has been welcoming tourists since the 1970´s. When the town was just a small fishing village called La Tiñosa. And now the resort is about to undergo another major metamorphosis – as island authorities have given the green light to a multi million euro project which is designed to improve the tourist offering and maintain the resorts competitiveness for years to come.
In many ways Puerto del Carmen as become a victim of its own success – as thirty years as a popular destination have taken their toll on both facilities and infrastructure. Leaving the resort looking tired and outdated – especially by comparison with newer, purpose built alternatives such as Dubai.
Nowhere is this deterioration more apparent than on the main Avenida de Las Playas – the 6km long beachfront strip that runs from one end of the resort to the other. Town planners gave little thought to just how popular the resort would become when it was first developed back in the 1970´s – creating very narrow stretches of pavement and allowing two lanes of traffic to dominate. To the detriment of pedestrians.
Now, island authorities plan to redress this imbalance by part pedestrianising the Avenida de las Playas. And also aim to improve the resort’s aesthetic appeal by imposing new uniform shop fronts and fascias on the many units lining the strip. So creating a more pleasing and contemporary public image.
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of the new project though are the plans to transform the Old Town Harbour area – the point where tourism first took off in Puerto del Carmen – into a new luxury marina. With jetties and plenty of berths of luxury yachts and cruisers.
The planners aim here is to emulate the success of the nearby marina at Puerto Calero. Which has proved highly successful in attracting more monied tourists, upmarket shops and restaurants and where property now commands a serious premium.
In Puerto del Carmen by comparison apartments in and around the Old Town Harbour area are still available for as little as €80,000. But with work on the new marina expected to be completed by May 2009 and with tourist numbers holding steady many local observers believe that the value of property in the area can only rise – despite the current economic climate.
Further evidence of the rejuvenation of the resort can be found just on the outskirts of town. Where a new golf course, only the second on the island, is about to open its doors in early 2009. So further improving the leisure options on offer in Puerto del Carmen and providing an additional attraction for a more affluent type of tourist.
Ultimately, local tourist authorities also plan to impose more stringent requirements on apartments and hotels in Puerto del Carmen. In a drive to ensure that all accommodation in the area is of a four star and above minimum standard.
As island authorities press ahead with plans to reinvent tourism in Puerto del Carmen. The engine room of both the Lanzarote property market and the island´s holiday industry, which accounts for around 90% of Lanzarote´s GDP. Encompassing the creation of a new luxury marina which some observers believe could transform the resort into the Puerto Banus of the Canary Islands.
Puerto del Carmen has been welcoming tourists since the 1970´s. When the town was just a small fishing village called La Tiñosa. And now the resort is about to undergo another major metamorphosis – as island authorities have given the green light to a multi million euro project which is designed to improve the tourist offering and maintain the resorts competitiveness for years to come.
In many ways Puerto del Carmen as become a victim of its own success – as thirty years as a popular destination have taken their toll on both facilities and infrastructure. Leaving the resort looking tired and outdated – especially by comparison with newer, purpose built alternatives such as Dubai.
Nowhere is this deterioration more apparent than on the main Avenida de Las Playas – the 6km long beachfront strip that runs from one end of the resort to the other. Town planners gave little thought to just how popular the resort would become when it was first developed back in the 1970´s – creating very narrow stretches of pavement and allowing two lanes of traffic to dominate. To the detriment of pedestrians.
Now, island authorities plan to redress this imbalance by part pedestrianising the Avenida de las Playas. And also aim to improve the resort’s aesthetic appeal by imposing new uniform shop fronts and fascias on the many units lining the strip. So creating a more pleasing and contemporary public image.
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of the new project though are the plans to transform the Old Town Harbour area – the point where tourism first took off in Puerto del Carmen – into a new luxury marina. With jetties and plenty of berths of luxury yachts and cruisers.
The planners aim here is to emulate the success of the nearby marina at Puerto Calero. Which has proved highly successful in attracting more monied tourists, upmarket shops and restaurants and where property now commands a serious premium.
In Puerto del Carmen by comparison apartments in and around the Old Town Harbour area are still available for as little as €80,000. But with work on the new marina expected to be completed by May 2009 and with tourist numbers holding steady many local observers believe that the value of property in the area can only rise – despite the current economic climate.
Further evidence of the rejuvenation of the resort can be found just on the outskirts of town. Where a new golf course, only the second on the island, is about to open its doors in early 2009. So further improving the leisure options on offer in Puerto del Carmen and providing an additional attraction for a more affluent type of tourist.
Ultimately, local tourist authorities also plan to impose more stringent requirements on apartments and hotels in Puerto del Carmen. In a drive to ensure that all accommodation in the area is of a four star and above minimum standard.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Victorville Real Estate
The city of Victorville, which can be found in the Victor Valley in the county of San Bernardino in California, is also part of the High Desert Area. It is located at the southern portion of the Mojave Desert. The Mojave River also passes through Victorville.
Victorville has a total land area of approximately 190 square kilometers. It lies approximately 80 miles from the city Los Angeles, California. It is quite near the city of San Bernardino, approximately 37 miles away. The city of Barstow and the city of Palmdale are also nearby, approximately 34 and 48 miles from Victorville respectively. The borders of the city of Victorville include Hesperia, Adelanto and the Apple Valley.
Because of its desert location, the climate in the city of Victorville is quite hot. The summer weather is typically hotter than those in nearby areas, such as Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. However, it is also cooler than other desert areas, such as the Colorado Desert.
There are several places one should not fail to visit when staying in the city of Victorville. The Route 66 Museum in D Street is one of these. The United States Penitentiary Victorville should also be quite interesting to visit. The Scandia Family Fun Center on Mariposa Road is a place for family and friends. People can try the various activities in the fun center, such as mini-golf, go-kart racing, batting cages and bumper boats. An interesting fact is that the 1977 version of the movie The Hills Have Eyes was shot in the city of Victorville.
At present, Victorville real estate has been transformed into a buyer’s market. This means that buyers of real estate are getting the upper hand in majority of the real estate deals going on in the city. Buyers are able to negotiate better and are able to buy homes at much lower prices than what they were originally offered. Some sellers even include additional incentives in order to sell their houses faster. The present buyer’s market is mostly due to the abundant supply of homes in the Victorville area, which was brought about by over-building of houses. Buyers are given more choices, and are able to get the homes they want at a much lower cost.
Victorville and other areas in the High Desert are also being predicted to continue growing in the next few years. At present, the city has an estimated population of about 65,000 individuals; however, this number is expected to grow more in the following years. For this reason, the real estate in these areas is considered a good investment. The prices in Victorville are also more affordable than in nearby areas of Southern California. What’s more, Victorville is the most commercially developed area in the High Desert, making it more attractive to relocating or expanding businesses.
If you are searching for a peaceful home or a good investment in the High Desert Area, with complete amenities and a flourishing economy, try looking for Victorville real estate!
Victorville has a total land area of approximately 190 square kilometers. It lies approximately 80 miles from the city Los Angeles, California. It is quite near the city of San Bernardino, approximately 37 miles away. The city of Barstow and the city of Palmdale are also nearby, approximately 34 and 48 miles from Victorville respectively. The borders of the city of Victorville include Hesperia, Adelanto and the Apple Valley.
Because of its desert location, the climate in the city of Victorville is quite hot. The summer weather is typically hotter than those in nearby areas, such as Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. However, it is also cooler than other desert areas, such as the Colorado Desert.
There are several places one should not fail to visit when staying in the city of Victorville. The Route 66 Museum in D Street is one of these. The United States Penitentiary Victorville should also be quite interesting to visit. The Scandia Family Fun Center on Mariposa Road is a place for family and friends. People can try the various activities in the fun center, such as mini-golf, go-kart racing, batting cages and bumper boats. An interesting fact is that the 1977 version of the movie The Hills Have Eyes was shot in the city of Victorville.
At present, Victorville real estate has been transformed into a buyer’s market. This means that buyers of real estate are getting the upper hand in majority of the real estate deals going on in the city. Buyers are able to negotiate better and are able to buy homes at much lower prices than what they were originally offered. Some sellers even include additional incentives in order to sell their houses faster. The present buyer’s market is mostly due to the abundant supply of homes in the Victorville area, which was brought about by over-building of houses. Buyers are given more choices, and are able to get the homes they want at a much lower cost.
Victorville and other areas in the High Desert are also being predicted to continue growing in the next few years. At present, the city has an estimated population of about 65,000 individuals; however, this number is expected to grow more in the following years. For this reason, the real estate in these areas is considered a good investment. The prices in Victorville are also more affordable than in nearby areas of Southern California. What’s more, Victorville is the most commercially developed area in the High Desert, making it more attractive to relocating or expanding businesses.
If you are searching for a peaceful home or a good investment in the High Desert Area, with complete amenities and a flourishing economy, try looking for Victorville real estate!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Santa Teresa Costa Rica Real Estate
Wide stretches of sandy beaches, world-class surf, and breathtaking sunsets. These are only some of the reasons behind the growing popularity of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, which in the past few years has seen an increasing number of tourists and visitors, especially those from the younger crowd.
Surfers, in particular, have found paradise in this little town, what with the easygoing waves crashing on its superb shores. This up-and-coming tourist destination is indeed a haven for surfers, veterans and beginners alike. There is an abundance of shops and hotels devoted to the wave riding crowd, as well as surfing instructors available to teach the sport to any budding surfer. Also, the mellow waves of Santa Teresa make it an ideal place for novice wave riders to get their first try at the sport.
However, it is not just the young and the surfer clique that is drawn to this booming travel destination in Costa Rica. Visitors from all over the world will undoubtedly fall in love with Santa Teresa’s immaculate beaches, said to be some of the most beautiful in the whole of Costa Rica. Enfolding these divine sands is a little strip of trees, offering cool shade within which you can delight in the bright sun’s rays bouncing off the sparkling waters.
And you need not be a wave rider to enjoy a holiday in Santa Teresa, too. There is a host of other activities which you can indulge in while in this scenic town. You may want to have a go at fishing, or snorkel in its pristine waters, or try your hand at kite surfing, or go horseback riding. You may also want to take a sunset tour by boat, or perhaps take a canopy tour in nearby Mal Pais. Alternatively, you may rent a car and take a tour of neighboring Montezuma or Cabo Blanco’s nature reserve.
High season in Santa Teresa is also one to watch out for. This falls between the months of December to April. It is during this time when international performers lodge in Santa Teresa, indulge both vacationers and locals with their talents, and sometimes even hold classes such as acrobatics and capoeira. The night life is especially rich during high season in Santa Teresa. Here you can choose between the steamed up ambiance whipped up by a live band playing Costa Rican tunes in a saloon, and a party on the beach where you can dance and chill to house, ambient, or trip hop music.
Not surprisingly, there has come to be a diverse selection of international hotels, cabinas, and restaurants in Santa Teresa, mostly owing to the influx of diverse cultures, a hotpot of broad-based and multinational cultures blending in with the local color. Hence, there has also arisen a demand for vacations villas and even residential properties such as ocean-view homes, which needless to say, has led to a boom in Santa Teresa real estate. And among the multitude of foreigners who have come to Santa Teresa supposedly only for a short sojourn, many of them have been enchanted by this former small fishing village and have in fact opted to stay for good.
With such an unspoiled tropical paradise like Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, who can blame them? The market for real estate in Santa Teresa is selling like hot cakes. And if you’re interested in real estate, whether you’re looking a private home to live in or looking to park your investment money, you would be crazy not to have a look at what Santa Teresa has to offer.
Surfers, in particular, have found paradise in this little town, what with the easygoing waves crashing on its superb shores. This up-and-coming tourist destination is indeed a haven for surfers, veterans and beginners alike. There is an abundance of shops and hotels devoted to the wave riding crowd, as well as surfing instructors available to teach the sport to any budding surfer. Also, the mellow waves of Santa Teresa make it an ideal place for novice wave riders to get their first try at the sport.
However, it is not just the young and the surfer clique that is drawn to this booming travel destination in Costa Rica. Visitors from all over the world will undoubtedly fall in love with Santa Teresa’s immaculate beaches, said to be some of the most beautiful in the whole of Costa Rica. Enfolding these divine sands is a little strip of trees, offering cool shade within which you can delight in the bright sun’s rays bouncing off the sparkling waters.
And you need not be a wave rider to enjoy a holiday in Santa Teresa, too. There is a host of other activities which you can indulge in while in this scenic town. You may want to have a go at fishing, or snorkel in its pristine waters, or try your hand at kite surfing, or go horseback riding. You may also want to take a sunset tour by boat, or perhaps take a canopy tour in nearby Mal Pais. Alternatively, you may rent a car and take a tour of neighboring Montezuma or Cabo Blanco’s nature reserve.
High season in Santa Teresa is also one to watch out for. This falls between the months of December to April. It is during this time when international performers lodge in Santa Teresa, indulge both vacationers and locals with their talents, and sometimes even hold classes such as acrobatics and capoeira. The night life is especially rich during high season in Santa Teresa. Here you can choose between the steamed up ambiance whipped up by a live band playing Costa Rican tunes in a saloon, and a party on the beach where you can dance and chill to house, ambient, or trip hop music.
Not surprisingly, there has come to be a diverse selection of international hotels, cabinas, and restaurants in Santa Teresa, mostly owing to the influx of diverse cultures, a hotpot of broad-based and multinational cultures blending in with the local color. Hence, there has also arisen a demand for vacations villas and even residential properties such as ocean-view homes, which needless to say, has led to a boom in Santa Teresa real estate. And among the multitude of foreigners who have come to Santa Teresa supposedly only for a short sojourn, many of them have been enchanted by this former small fishing village and have in fact opted to stay for good.
With such an unspoiled tropical paradise like Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, who can blame them? The market for real estate in Santa Teresa is selling like hot cakes. And if you’re interested in real estate, whether you’re looking a private home to live in or looking to park your investment money, you would be crazy not to have a look at what Santa Teresa has to offer.
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