The continuing crisis in Egypt is boosting tourism to the Canary Islands, with additional flight services to Lanzarote being laid on this week from across Northern Europe. With up to 15 additional flights per week expected well into April.

Following thirteen days of public protests and travel chaos several of the larger tour operators have contacted island officials to organize an increase in the number of Lanzarote flights from countries across Northern Europe. As tourists of all nationalities desert the once popular holiday destinations of Egypt and Tunisia.

Over the coming seven days, an additional ten to fifteen flights will be scheduled to bring tourists to the island, with this increase in air traffic anticipated to last until at least April.

The vast majority of these extra flights will depart from the UK, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Several hotels in Lanzarote have already noted an upsurge in reservations as a result of the crisis in the Middle East.

Indeed, this is not the first time that the Canary Islands have benefited from a crisis situation elsewhere, as in 1994, when Turkey was experiencing unrest, the islands were amongst the main destinations to see a rise in tourist visitor numbers.

A meeting will take place today attended by the Vice Councillor for Tourism in the Canaries, Ricardo Fernandez, where various organizations will discuss and coordinate various strategies to deal with increased demand over the next few months.