Ever wondered how Lanzarote used to look before the advent of mass market tourism?  The excellent website Memoria Digital Lanzarote is a real treasure trove of images from the islands past.  Featuring fantastic pictures of all of Lanzarote´s best known attractions and resorts.
The MemoriadeLanzarote website contains over 300 images outlining the development of the islands travel and tourism industries dating back to the early 1970´s.  Many of which provide a fascinating insight into how areas such as Puerto del Carmen used to look.  Along with loads of other great images including …

The island capital of Arrecife is being twinned with the Brazilian coastal town of Recife. This follows a successful meeting at the travel trade fair FITUR in Madrid between the Councillor for Tourism in Arrecife, Angela Hernandez and the director for tourism in Pernambuco, the state in which Recife is situated.
Recife is the oldest capital to have been founded in Brazil, dating back to 1537. Its name is derived from the numerous reefs to be found in its coastal waters, just as Arrecife’s is. It is hoped the initiative will …

Two airlines flying tourists to Lanzarote from the UK and Ireland intend to increase the number of airports they operate from during 2010.
Aer Lingus, which already offers eight weekly flights from the main Irish airports of Dublin, Belfast and Cork, plan to add a route from Shannon to Lanzarote this year. The news comes as a result of meetings held between the Councillor for Tourism, Luis Arraez and the airline’s management. It also comes on the back of Lanzarote being voted for the eighth year running the number one destination …

Despite the economic doom and gloom in the UK and the weakness of the Pound against the Euro British tourism actually rose during the course of November 2009.  Up for the first time during the course of last year by nearly 7%.  As the island welcomed an influx of 63,753 visitors from the UK.  A figure much improved on November 2008 when Britain accounted for 59,601 arrivals.
In the months leading up to last summer British tourism had declined by close to 20%.  As consumers in the UK really felt the …

The 26th annual Canarian Music Festival gets underway this month.  With concerts being staged across the island.  Including an appearance by the Canarian Classic Chamber Orchestra.  Who will be performing recitals of the work of Haydn and Schubert at the Convento de Santa Domingo on January 23rd under the direction of the conductor José Maria Vicente.
Elsewhere on the island the classical octet Sphere Antiqva will be appearing on La Graciosa on January 9th and at the atmospheric venue of the Cueva de los Verdes on January 10th with their two …

Oswaldo Machín, from San Bartolomé, has been awarded the first prize at the Second Competition of Young Canarian Designers, for his collection ‘Mobile Nature’.
The talented youngster was competing against six other contestants between 18 and 35 years of age, at the recent competition held in La Laguna in Tenerife. His designs won thanks to their originality, the quality and creativity demonstrated in the designs and their adaptability to the market as viable commercial products.
Visit his excellent website to find out more about this talented young designer

A new UK ad agency has been appointed to help push tourism in Lanzarote and the Canaries. The Canary Island Tourist Boards media planning and buying will now be handled by Manchester based PHD North. Who won the £1.6 million account in a competitive pitch, unseating previous incumbents Media Campaign in the process.
PHD North will be responsible for promoting the Canaries across a total of 14 markets and hope to reverse the recent decline in visitor numbers. According to Jason Spencer, the managing director of PHD North, said: “Through using …

Enterprising farmers on the island of Gran Canaria have decided to move into coffee production. As the price of java has soared recently, with the bean now fetching as much as €50 per kilo.
Over 12,000 coffee trees have been planted in the Valley of Agaete – the only spot in the European Union where coffee is grown commercially. And the end product, which is noted for its quality, is currently sold in just one shop – located in the main square of Agaete. Where conoissuers can pick up a 250g …

Destinations outside the EU have overtaken traditional favourites such as Lanzarote and Mallorca for the first time this half term break.  According to research recently conducted by Co-operative Travel.  With Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt now occupying the number one slot.
The Co-Ops stats suggest that the seemingly on going depreciation of sterling versus the Euro is now taking its toll on destinations within the EU.  Whilst the cost of holidays in Egypt have fallen sharply over the same period.  As according to online travel brand Last Minute the cost of …

 Lanzarote residents may soon be able to pop down to Marks and Sparks to buy up on underwear and frozen meals.  According to current press reports surrounding the recent opening of a new Marks and Spencer store in Marbella.
 The British store group plan a renewed assault on the Spanish market, having failed to gain a foothold during a previous sortie in 2001, when it was forced to close stores in Madrid and Valencia.
 Currently Marks have just two stores in Spain – in Gibraltar and now in Marbella. Along with a …