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.

Related posts:

1. Finding Villas On Lanzarote Where can visitors to the Island of Fire find the...
2. Holidays in Puerto del Carmen The Canaries are the second most popular holiday destination in...
3. Winter Sun Breaks in Lanzarote Whilst other Spanish sunspots are packing away the loungers the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The AENA figures will confound many industry observers who have been predicting the death of the foreign holiday.  As Lanzarote has now welcomed 509,755 British tourists during the first six months of 2008.  An increase of 15.6% on the same period during 2007.

And it´s not just British consumers who are refusing to give up their week in the sun.  As foreign visitor numbers to the island as a whole have increased by 5.9% during the first six months of the year.  With the Irish market also contributing to this upward trend – with 123,047 tourists from Eire visiting Lanzarote over the same period.  An increase of 5.4% versus last year. 

The news makes welcome reading for the many overseas owners of holiday villas in Lanzarote.  As thousands of British and Irish investors have taken the plunge into ownership on the island over the last decade. 

Attracted by the fact that Lanzarote boasts a year round clement climate that also delivers year round rental returns.  A claim that no other European sun spot can truly match.

Currently, the Lanzarote property market is softening – in tandem with most other markets across Spain and Europe.  Primarily as a result of international pressures rather than any domestic detoriation.  As Lanzarote´s main industry is tourism – which clearly remains in excellent health in light of this strong first half performance.

Related posts:

1. Free Lanzarote Guidebook Out Now Anyone planning to spend their holidays in Lanzarote this autumn...
2. Winter Sun Breaks in Lanzarote Whilst other Spanish sunspots are packing away the loungers the...
3. Holidays in Puerto del Carmen The Canaries are the second most popular holiday destination in...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.