The number of British tourists visiting Lanzarote continues to rise. Despite collapsing airlines, a weak pound and falling disposable incomes.  As new figures just released by the Spanish airport authority AENA reveal a 7.9% year on year growth of holidaymakers from the UK visiting the Island of Fire during August.

In total 571,851 British tourists have visited Lanzarote during the first eight months of 2008, a trend which if extended across the rest of the year will represent the islands best performance in the UK market place since 2003.

Lanzarote is now also firmly established as the most popular destination in the whole of Spain with Irish holiday makers.  With over 200,000 tourists from Eire expected to visit the island during the course of this year.

As a result on-going demand for good quality holiday rental property in Lanzarote is increasing – not least as owners benefit from a year round rental calendar too thanks Lanzarote´s clement climate – as temperatures rarely fall below 20C even in the depths of winter.

As elsewhere in Europe property prices on Lanzarote have started to fall in recent months – enabling investors to get a foot on the property ladder for as little as €65,000 (around £52,000).

Investing in Lanzarote

So where are the hottest spots on the island for overseas investors?

Tourism on Lanzarote took off in Puerto del Carmen – a former fishing village called La Tiñosa which today is Lanzarote´s most popular resort.  Particularly amongst British and Irish visitors – who are drawn by the excellent beaches and wide selection of bars and restaurants.

Apartment complexes predominate in Puerto del Carmen – with only two main hotels servicing the resort.  In recent years many of these complexes have undergone extensive renovation – and the island tourist authorities are now pressing ahead with plans to pedestrianise the main Avenida de Las Playas in the heart of the resort.  In order to further enhance Puerto del Carmen´s appeal as a holiday destination.  A long awaited new golf course will also be opening just outside the resort by the end of this year too.

The Bitacora Apartments in the heart of Puerto del Carmen are a good example of a revitalised complex.  Featuring 72 one and two bed apartments in attractive and well maintained grounds with good communal facilities and pool – all just five minutes walk from the resorts main beach.

The apartments have been refurbished to a high standard – featuring brand new kitchens, appliances, furnishings and additional extras such as broadband connections and satellite TV.  Prices at the Bitacora start start from €99,000 for a one bed apartment.

Just ten minutes away from Puerto del Carmen lies the emerging resort of Matagorda, which is especially popular with Irish tourists.  Dut to its tranquil atmosphere, good quality beaches and minimal transfer time from the islands airport.

The recently refurbished Matagorda Bay complex is generating plenty of interest amongst overseas investors – as it is the only fully renovated sea view complex offering apartments for sale in the whole of the resort.

As a result around 70% of the units here have already been snapped up by buyers impressed with the quality of the communal facilities and the high spec of the renovation. Which has been handled by one of the island’s leading developers.

Key features include ergonomically designed, stylish modern interiors, flat screen TV´s and wireless internet connection. Top quality fixtures, fittings and furnishings are also included in the prices – which start from €99,950 for a studio apartment and €119,950 for a one bedroom apartment.

British Tourism To Lanzarote Continues To Rise is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: Investing in Lanzarote, Matagorda Bay, Puerto del Carmen, Tourists Visiting Lanzarote