Increase In Visitor Numbers To Canary Islands
Figures just released by The Canary Islands Tourist Board reveal that visitor numbers are up in the archipelago for the first five months of 2008. Suggesting that the islands tourist industry has so far proved resilient in the midst of the current challenging economic environment.
The recently published study reveals that five of the seven islands within the archipelago have seen a collective increase of 4.1% in visitor numbers between January and May this year, in comparison with 2007.
Overall, these five islands – Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote – have together played host to 5,099, 857 visitors between January and May 2008. An increase of 200,848 holidaymakers versus the first five months of 2007.
Non-Spanish nationals accounted for the majority (82.55%) of these visits. Numbering 4,210,081 trips from January to May 2008. Whilst Spanish (non-Canarian) nationals made 889,776 visits to the islands over the same period.
On Lanzarote, Spanish nationals accounted for 18.18% of all visitors in the first five months of 2008. Up 3.7% on the same period in 2007. And a higher percentage figure of all visitors than for any other Canary Island with the exception of Tenerife and La Palma.
Overall the number of foreign tourists enjoying a holiday in Lanzarote has increased by 6.3% over the same period
Inter-island tourism has also grown year on year. As the report indicates that there has been an increase in the number of Canarian residents holidaying in hotels and apartments across the islands.
During May 2008 for example, 121,629 Canarian residents booked a stay in a hotel or apartment in the archipelago. A figure up dramatically on previous years – with only 86,739 stays recorded in May 2007 and 80,125 in May 2006.
The inter-annual figures also show an increase in the number of Canarians holidaying in the islands from 361,167 in 2007 to 377,170 this year.
Tourist Centres Welcome More Visitors
As a corollary of this increase in tourist numbers Lanzarote´s Centres of Art and Culture continue to record increased admissions. Recording a total of 197, 028 visitors in June this year. Up 4.77% on June 2007 and 6.89% on the previous month.
In total these tourist attractions have so far welcomed 1,158,568 visitors during 2008 – an increase of 10.20% across the period January to June 2007.
The Timanfaya Volcano Park remains the islands top draw. Accounting for 66,281 admissions during June, followed by the Jameos del Agua, which recorded visitor numbers of 53,125 for the same month. The least visited attraction is the Museum Of International and Contemporary Art in Arrecife – which received just 2238 guests in June.
Thomas Cook Report Busy Bookings
One of the biggest tour operators offering holidays and flights to Lanzarote has reported 19% fewer holiday vacancies still available on both long and short haul flights, compared with the same period last year.
Despite the current difficult trading conditions, with high fuel prices, a weakening pound and falling disposable incomes the figures released by Thomas Cook for trading up to April this year reveal that holiday bookings remain healthy.
The tour operator also anticipated that last minute bookings will further improve these results, particularly if the abysmal weather being experienced in the UK at present continues throughout the summer.
In response to increased fuel charges, the tour company has hedged its purchase prices of crude oil by 100% and jet fuel by 93% to see it through the rest of this financial year. Which should mean that fuel costs attached to holiday bookings with the group will remain stable until at least next April.
Dublin Airport Radar Glitch
For the second time in a month, the radar system at Dublin airport malfunctioned, causing cancellations and delays to over 200 flights.
On Wednesday, 2nd July, the airspace around Dublin airport was actually closed to inbound traffic for a short period of time. Over the following two days air traffic was gradually restored to normal operational levels but with delays still occurring on some flights. On the Wednesday itself, Ryanair actually cancelled 75 flights and Aer Lingus 23.
