Lanzarote´s grand old dame of tourism – Puerto del Carmen – is about to get a facelift. As local authorities react to increased competition from younger and fresher rivals for the custom of overseas visitors.
Once a small fishing village called La Tiñosa, the resort has exploded since package tourism first took off on Lanzarote back in the 1970´s. Transforming this quiet pueblo into the most popular holiday destination on the island. Creating a magnet for both holiday makers and overseas property investors alike – attracted by the year round rental returns generated by this buoyant tourist trade.
But to a large extent Puerto del Carmen has also become a victim of its own success. As thirty years of tourism have had a deleterious effect upon the resorts infrastructure. Leaving it looking tired and a little downmarket.
Nowehere is this more apparent than on the main ´shop front´ of the resort – the Avenida de las Playas. Which runs for 6km along the sea front and which is home to a host of neon lit bars and restaurants.
Here tourists have to jostle for space so limited is the pavement area –and cars rule the roost – with two lanes of traffic passing by just inches away. Creating a very poor impression – especially by comparison with other purpose built holiday destinations around the world, such as Dubai.
As a result, island authorities have resolved to reinvent tourism in the resort by green lighting a multi million euro improvement scheme that will not only improve the tourist offering but also add a new marina in what is currently the Old Town Harbour area. Which is expected to have a positive impact upon the market for property in Puerto del Carmen over the long term.
The first phases of this project are in fact already underway. As plans to part pedestrianise the Avenida de las Playas are already in motion. Island authorities then plan to impose new shop fronts and fascias on to all of the businesses lining the ´strip’ – in order co create a more aesthetically pleasing image for the resort.
Perhaps most ambitious though are the plans to transform the Old Town harbour area into a luxury marina. In a bid to emulate the success of nearby Puerto Calero – which has proved to be a fantastically popular mooring spot with owners of luxury yachts and cruisers.
Currently the Old Town harbour is home to a few old fishing boats but the redevelopment plans encompass the creation of smart new jetties and boardwalks. Which in tandem with the opening of a new golf course on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen next year is expected to attract a more affluent type of tourist to the resort.
Leave a Reply