October was a better month for Lanzarote´s tourist industry. As whilst the number of foreign visitors arriving on flights to Lanzarote fell by 8.17% versus October 2008 the overall rate of decline slowed. With the German market actually recording a small increase. According to the latest figures just released by the Spanish airport operators AENA.
Lanzarote welcomed a total of 124,673 foreign tourists last month, down from 135,762 for October 2008. A fall of 8.17%, a figure that is almost half of the percentage decline recorded in previous months. Averaging the total fall in foreign arrivals for the year to date down to 16.87%.
Of Lanzarote´s major markets the UK remains the worst affected – thanks to the double impact of the credit crunch and the ongoing weakness of sterling versus the Euro. With the number of British tourists falling last month to 69,224 visitors from 76,051 in October 2008. British visitor numbers for the year to date are now down by a total of 18.41%.
Irish arrivals fell from 17,078 in October 2008 to 15,411 last month. And are now down by 16.2% for the year to date.
But Germany, Lanzarote´s second largest market, bucked the negative trend. With arrivals increasing from 19,912 in October 2008 to 20,418 last month. Bringing the overall decline for the year to date in this market down to 10.92%.
In total Lanzarote has now welcomed 226,291 fewer tourists this year. With total arrivals for the year to October end down to 1,115,265 visitors from 1,341,556.
