After one of the worst years on record for Lanzarote´s tourist industry the island has been boosted by Ryanair´s recent announcement of 15 new direct routes.  With services commencing in October from Bristol, Birmingham, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Luton, Liverpool and Prestwick. As the airline takes advantage of new tax breaks at Spanish airports recently implemented by AENA, Spain’s airport operators.

The first half of 2009 has been disastrous for the holiday island of Lanzarote.  As the combined impact of the credit crunch and the deprecation of sterling has created a 20% drop in visitor arrivals from the UK, Lanzarote´s key market.  And an 18% drop in total foreign tourist visits.

Now however some respite appears to be in sight.  As the low cost flight operator Ryanair have switched their focus to the Canaries.  Announcing 15 new routes to Lanzarote – along with a further 16 to Gran Canaria and 8 to Tenerife.

This strategic shift in operations has arisen as a result of AENA´s recent decision to waive airport charges across Spain until the end of March 2010. As they seek to help revive the nations flagging tourist industry.

Ryanair had recently been criticised for cutting back on their services at Stanstead, a direct result of crippling taxes levied in the UK and Eire, according to the airline.  But these new flights are expected to create around 2,000 new jobs at the airports involved.  Whilst transporting up to 2 million tourists to the Canary Islands during the course of this coming winter.

The news has obviously been welcomed by the many overseas owners of Lanzarote holiday villas and apartments.  Many of whom have watched their rental income dwindle as bookings have dropped.  Whilst hoteliers on the island have also been battling against record low occupancy levels.  With May the worst month ever recorded as local hotels managed to fill just 41% of their beds.

Increased tourism is also vital to the recovery of the Lanzarote property market. As this has traditionally been driven by foreign buyers investing in holiday rental accommodation.  Safe in the knowledge that there would always be a reliable tourist industry to support them. 

Currently however the local market is becalmed – as agents report a growing number of price reduced properties.  But with few buyers in a position to take advantage.

Related posts:

1. Brighter Skies For Lanzarote? Could the pain in Spain finally be coming to an...
2. Winter Sun Villa Vacations In Lanzarote The summer season may have come to a close in...
3. Visit Lanzarote – The Cool Canary Island Lanzagrotty?� Hardly.� This unfair epithet was coined many years ago...
4. Vacation Rentals in Lanzarote Lanzarote is the most easterly link in the Canary Island...
5. Cheap Flights to Winter Sun If the long cold winter is starting to get you...