Ferry Good
Launch of first ever passenger ferry service from Lanzarote to Morocco
Ferry operators Naviera Armas have announced the introduction of a new ferry service from Lanzarote to Morocco. The service, which starts this month, will operate from the main ferry terminal at Puerto Marmoles –in between Costa Teguise and Arrecife– and will run to the southern Moroccan port of Tarfaya.
Whilst freight traffic has traversed the two regions for decades and direct flights operate from Gran Canaria, this will be the first time that passengers will be able to cross the narrow strip of water between the Canary Islands and mainland Morocco – just some 100km away from Lanzarote.
The introduction of the service has been planned by the autonomous Canarian Government (with the help of EU funding) for some time and is part of a broader strategy to further develop trade and economic links with the African mainland.
The service will carry both passengers and freight and will operate three times a week – departing at midday. The journey time is four and half hours.
You can visit the Naveria Armas website here
Flying The Flag
New Blue Flag Award For Playa Chica, Puerto del Carmen
The small beach at Playa Chica, in Puerto del Carmen, has just been awarded a prestigious Blue Flag.
The Blue Flag Awards are designed to both promote and reward high standards of beach cleanliness and safety. Other factors, such as adequate toilet facilities and life saving procedures are also taken into account by the European Department of Environmental Education, who oversee the selection of the award wining beaches every year.
However this years awards were not all good news for Lanzarote´s beaches. As whilst Puerto del Carmen gained an award for Playa Chica the resort also lost Blue Flag status for the main beach – Playa Grande.
In addition Blue Flag status was also withdrawn from the main beach in the resort of Costa Teguise – Playa Cucharas, as well as from Playa Garita at Arrieta. Lanzarote now has a total of five Blue Flag beaches, one less than in 2006 – comprising Playa Chica, the beach by the airport at Guacimeta, Matagorda beach, Los Pocillos beach and Playa Blanca.
Northern Comfort
Jet2.com unveil new winter route from Newcastle and Manchester
Yorkshire based airline Jet2.com have just announced two new weekly routes to Lanzarote for Winter 2007/2008.
From November 1st the airline, which was voted Europe´s best short haul operator at the World Travel Awards in2006, will be flying into Arrecife airport on Thursdays from Newcastle and Manchester.
Prices for these flights start from as little as £28.99 one way, excluding taxes.
On The Landscape
Locals rate landscape as Lanzarote´s primary attraction
What are the main factors that bring tourists to Lanzarote? According to a new survey conducted amongst island residents the major magnet for tourists is Lanzarote´s unique landscape. Followed closely by the islands beaches, hospitality and good quality restaurants
The survey, which was conducted on behalf of Island government also interestingly, contrasted the views of local respondents with those of tourists.
Visitors to the island declared that the most important factors in choosing Lanzarote for their holiday were the hospitality of the people and the tranquility of the island. Followed closely by the unique landscape and the beaches.
Residents also tended to be far more critical of Lanzarote´s tourist offering than visitors. As whilst nearly 50% of tourists rated the island as having made a “very good” impression upon them, only 17.3% of locals believed that this was likely to be the case.
Sandy Shore
New Sand For Beaches in Costa Teguise
The golden grains on the beaches of Costa Teguise have recently been replenished. Thanks to the work of the local Council (the Ayuntamiento of Teguise) who are responsible for maintaining the standard of sand in the resort.
All of the beaches in Costa Teguise are man made. And as a result of erosion and rainfall require sporadic maintenance in order to keep them in good condition.
The Ayuntamiento carried out the work at the end of May in order to spruce the beaches up in time for the summer season. Focusing primarily on the stretches at Playa Jablillo and El Ancla. Using sand that had been extracted in the vicinity of the village of Munique.
