There was a time when any mention of holidaying on Lanzarote, the fourth largest and most easterly of Spain’s Canary Islands, would be met by jokes about ‘Lanzagrotty’.
Such comments were usually from people that had never been there. As is often the case, the reality is very different.
True, moon-like landscapes shaped by volcanoes are not what you might expect from a sunshine destination, but Lanzarote has long ditched its downmarket image and winter 2010-11 brochures reveal considerable expansion in the high-end sector.
And with many destinations struggling this year, UK visitor numbers to Lanzarote are very healthy. Steadily rising from February, with only a 5% dip in April due to the Icelandic ash cloud, figures for May, June and July rose by 25%, 31% and 34% respectively over the same period in 2009, peaking at 81,118 in July.
Situated 80 miles off the African coast, with winter temperatures averaging 21C, Lanzarote is a perfect winter sun spot. It boasts some of the Canaries’ most dramatic scenery with sandy beaches that range from black to snowy white, a craggy volcanic interior and green valleys in the north.
The environmental legacy of the island’s most famous recent resident, the late artist and designer César Manrique, means there are no billboards or high-rise buildings.
Moving into the new season on a very positive note, Prestige Holidays’ Lanzarote business is up 30% on last summer with Los Jameos Playa, near the popular resort of Puerto del Carmen, soaring by 67%.
Marketing manager Nicky Shafe says: “Los Jameos has always been popular, especially with families, however, I think this dramatic surge is partly due to our introduction of an all-inclusive option, offering excellent value and making it much easier for families to stick to a budget.”
Increased choice and capacity will help agents sell Lanzarote this winter. Monarch Airlines is retaining its previous winter flying programme of three scheduled flights per week from Gatwick, Luton and Manchester and, due to demand, adding an extra weekly flight from Birmingham.
Thomson and First Choice are offering flexible duration holidays for winter 2010-11. In addition to traditional seven and 14-night stays, there will be nine, 10, 11 and 12-night breaks. From April 2011, the operator’s Holiday Village Playa Blanca will feature Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and other film characters in its kids’ club programme.
Cosmos has introduced ‘ultimate flexibility and unlimited stays’, from one to six-night mini winter breaks to stays of 15 nights to ones with more than 100 nights, for clients wanting the ultimate escape from the British winter blues.
The Lanzarote programme has been extended, mainly in the all-inclusive and four-diamond rating sector, and self-catering properties are also being offered on an all-inclusive basis.
A new elite all-inclusive property is the five-diamond Dreamplace Gran Castillo, in Playa Blanca, from £565 in early December with a free sea view upgrade.
Gary Boyer, head of purchasing at Classic Collection Holidays, which recently brought out its first dedicated Canary Islands brochure, says: “Newer areas of Lanzarote, such as Playa Blanca and Costa Calero, have grown up with a style in keeping with the environment and were being developed at the same time as demand for five-star hotels was growing. This meant investment was made by established hotel chains leading to a plentiful supply of very good accommodation.”
Family-friendly Sun Island is a three-star all-inclusive option in Playa Blanca new to Jet2holidays.com this winter. Prices lead in at £419 for seven nights. Three new self-catering properties in Puerto del Carmen have also been added, starting at £299 for seven nights.
Jet2holidays has launched four new product lines, Family Choice, Adult Choice, Dusk ‘til Dawn and Luxe Collection, which will help agents match clients with the right holiday.
In Lanzarote the Hotetur Lanzarote Bay, Costa Teguise, is a family option and the four-star Occidental Grand Teguise Playa, in Costa Teguise, and Timanfaya Palace, Playa Blanca, are both part of the luxury collection.
Sample product
Prestige Holidays is offering seven nights’ all-inclusive at Los Jameos Playa in December from £662, including easyJet flights from Gatwick and private transfers.
prestigeholidays.co.uk, 01425 480400
Cosmos has seven nights’ all inclusive in the three diamond Aparthotel Sun Royal, Playa Blanca, from £425 in winter 2010. Price includes Monarch flights from Gatwick and transfers. cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518
Classic Collection Holidays offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Hesperia, Puerto Calero, from £822 this November, including easyJet flights from Gatwick and private transfers. classic-collection.co.uk, 0800 008 7288
