Spain's ‘isla de los volcanos’ booms

Brits are flocking to one particular Canary Island in record numbers…

Figures released from the Spanish airport operators, AENA and Cabildo de Lanzarote, show that the number of UK visitors to the resort rose by 8.7% during the first three months of the year.

While an early Easter will have bumped up the numbers, tourism from the UK increased 16.7% during the traditionally quieter months of January and February.

A spokesperson for ASOLAN, the islands leading hoteliers’ association, commentedd: "The influx is benefiting investors in private rental accommodation, with self-catering apartments achieving occupancy levels of 84.19% during the first two months of 2008".

The surge in tourism is firing the island’s property market, with property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook, reporting over 1,000 enquiries regarding property for sale on the island in the first quarter of this year.

However, prospective overseas investors are being cautious with their cash. The majority were seeking low cost studios and apartments in Lanzarote’s main resorts and 83% of enquiries were for properties costing less than €300,000.