Lanzarote says it is fed up with having so many British tourists visiting the island - and wants FEWER UK holidaymakers!

Excerpts from my link above for those who don't like links! 🙂

Nowhere will you find more illegal hotels than on Lanzarote, the most northeastern island of the Canary archipelago.

Local Ecosystem Protection Campaign
The unique island is in its entirety a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Thirty years ago, it pioneered the curbing of urban sprawl after artist and environmentalist César Manrique led a local campaign to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem

Six of seven mayors convicted
But in Lanzarote, a huge real estate corruption also came to light. Of the island’s seven municipalities, six have had a mayor convicted of a construction or real estate crime. These are Yaiza, Teguise, Arrecife, San Bartolomé, Haría and Tinajo

Numerous important figures persecuted
Aldermen, city planners, and entrepreneurs have been prosecuted. Many of them ended up in the local prison of Tahiche. Even the all-powerful Dimas Martin, former president of the Island Council of Lanzarote and former leader of the Partido Independiente de Lanzarote (PIL), ultimately did not escape the long arm of the law.

Trace of illegal hotels
However, the buildings themselves proved difficult to tear down: the legal battle against urban corruption has left a trail of concrete skeletons and illegal tourist accommodation. For some, such as the Sandos Papagayo hotel, a solution is not easy.

Katie59

Going back to the original post, Lanzarote is a sun and beach destination it’s not my thing, we want much wider interest these days. The image I have is a fairly downmarket destination and not much else other than sunshine, the “Costas” in Spain would also fit that image.

Unless there is a big investment it’s not going to change although if they could stop cheap booze it would improve the behavior of visitors. Discourage those that only want to get drunk as cheaply as possible and spoil it for others.

It's obviously gone downmarket then! since we were there a few years ago because it was rather boring, sedate, couples, not really many families either - and a lot of wind surfers.

If it has gone downmarket then perhaps they only have themselves to blame as I mentioned earlier; non-existent time shares being touted with people being ripped off, unsafe hotels being built and a general get-rich-quick culture prevailing.

inspain.news/biggest-coastal-strip-of-illegal-hotels-spain-exposed-by-wiretaps/

It's a scandal.

And now they try to blame British tourists??

Italy it is not, most certainly.

As I said earlier, they’re allowing hotels to provide the all inclusive give them what they like packages at an as low as possible price. If they regulated what was being offered, they then get a more discerning clientele.

Katie59

Going back to the original post, Lanzarote is a sun and beach destination it’s not my thing, we want much wider interest these days. The image I have is a fairly downmarket destination and not much else other than sunshine, the “Costas” in Spain would also fit that image.

Unless there is a big investment it’s not going to change although if they could stop cheap booze it would improve the behavior of visitors. Discourage those that only want to get drunk as cheaply as possible and spoil it for others.

As said, was trying t think beyond immediate clichés..

If you have customers who like to drink local wine, and sample local foods- then the cost implications are huge, for the whole region. Compared to having to import a lot of foreign stuff at huge (and recently increased) cost, which does not support local wine growers and other farmers, etc.

MerylStreep

GranyGravy
Not a lot of people know that, but if they do they choose to ignore the fact to suit their agenda.

Who does not know that?

Going back to the original post, Lanzarote is a sun and beach destination it’s not my thing, we want much wider interest these days. The image I have is a fairly downmarket destination and not much else other than sunshine, the “Costas” in Spain would also fit that image.

Unless there is a big investment it’s not going to change although if they could stop cheap booze it would improve the behavior of visitors. Discourage those that only want to get drunk as cheaply as possible and spoil it for others.

Lanzarote produces it's own wine, it's quite a fascinating tour to go to a vineyard and see the vines growing on the terraced volcanic slopes and dips.

GranyGravy
Not a lot of people know that, but if they do they choose to ignore the fact to suit their agenda.

If you have very small margins, and some is taken away by currency exchange, and the other by excess import and transport cost- you would soon be out of business.

Yes, agreed. Many pubs abroad do sell British Ales, because that is what the customer requires. Just a thought that crossed my mind.

Cannot answer regarding food Fleurpepper but big label beers are brewed under license in most EU Countries, there is no need to import from U.K. Also the majority are lagers which on the whole do not originate in the U.K. but are brewed here under license, the same as the EU.

Thinking on on this subject. It did cross my mind about the price of imports. If, perhaps, a certain section of tourists, want to drink and eat their own beers and local staples, and at a very good price- could it be that increased difficulties with importing such from the UK, red tape and transport cost - would make those prohibitive to import- especially as the customers are at the same time suffering from Sterling with very low value abroad. Very difficult to remain competitive in such conditions, especially with some sections of the market.

Much more profitable therefore to sell local or at least EU beers, and foods- and to those with currencies which have not been so devaluated. Nothing snobby about this, just common business sense.

Casdon

It is interesting when you think about it. Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, but it’s never built tourist hotels/beach resorts to the model Spain, Portugal and Greece have, most hotels are still small chains or family run - with all the quirks that go with that. Italy attracts a different type of tourist, and that’s probably why. (It’s also expensive).

It is interesting but then Italy has long history which so many of us can relate to, culture, art, lovely scenery and is far larger than Lanzarote. It has retained its national identity.

César Manrique tried to retain the identity of Lanzarote but he didn't live there permanently and died in 1992.

Then with the encouragement of tourism, builders of time shares (some of which were scandalous rip-offs), hotels built illegally (possible backhanders involved), retaining this identity wasn't going to happen.
Blaming the British is a red herring.

The Island Council has got a mountain to climb and possible resistance from those who are going to have to refurbish, update, change before they can begin to make money again.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Pardon?

Don’t encourage the argument, please!

AreWeThereYet

I had no idea some people consider 'Brit' a derogatory term. I've often been asked if I am a Brit when I have been abroad, and quite proud to say I am, had no idea anyone was being rude.

It is, believe me although it seems to have become mainstream now, unfortunately.

It's the same old, same old from all the usual individuals. Predictable, boring and a bit pathetic.

It has nothing to do with it- of course. But I am being accused and attacked, and I am not having it. thanks.

Fleurpepper

Iam64

Fleurpepper

I often had to organise extra volunteers to ensure safety, for them and for others. You have NO idea.

I suspect I do have a good idea but of course, you know more than anybody else

This is so nasty and unpleasant. Of course I know more than anybody else what I did and the reasons why- strangely enough!

Lots of YHA week-ends with sponsors, for those who could not go on other trips. In our own time. Trips during holiday time too. Camping overnight in our garden with lots of activities, for kids who were not allowed to go away for cultural or religious reasons. Driving minibus all over Europe, organising work-experience for our 6th formers, which took days of free time to organise, and so so much more. Yes, I know, more than you or anyone else does- what I did. 100% guaranteed.

What’s this squabble got to do with the original post. What has it got to do with Lanzarote or the impression held about British tourists. Enough, I’d say, it’s become childish now.

Iam64

Fleurpepper

I often had to organise extra volunteers to ensure safety, for them and for others. You have NO idea.

I suspect I do have a good idea but of course, you know more than anybody else

This is so nasty and unpleasant. Of course I know more than anybody else what I did and the reasons why- strangely enough!

Lots of YHA week-ends with sponsors, for those who could not go on other trips. In our own time. Trips during holiday time too. Camping overnight in our garden with lots of activities, for kids who were not allowed to go away for cultural or religious reasons. Driving minibus all over Europe, organising work-experience for our 6th formers, which took days of free time to organise, and so so much more. Yes, I know, more than you or anyone else does- what I did. 100% guaranteed.

It is interesting when you think about it. Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, but it’s never built tourist hotels/beach resorts to the model Spain, Portugal and Greece have, most hotels are still small chains or family run - with all the quirks that go with that. Italy attracts a different type of tourist, and that’s probably why. (It’s also expensive).

Went to Lanzarote once, and only once.Ok -ish and warm when other places are cold but nothing much to do there.
Like another poster said, no real history or culture there, just for the lying on a sunbed with a drink in hand or reading a book or pottering about types. A week was more than enough.
On the other hand I could holiday in Spain or Italy for years.

Fleurpepper

I often had to organise extra volunteers to ensure safety, for them and for others. You have NO idea.

I suspect I do have a good idea but of course, you know more than anybody else

Some with very serious disabilities too. Massive organisation and extra medical/nursing and other help. I remember parents in tears, saying thank you, as no-one had ever been prepared to take them. Two cases I am particularly thinking about- the experience was truly life-changing.