This Christams is a disaster for the British and irish businesses in Corralejo and Caleta, WHY?
The majority of British and Irish holiday makers who have bought packages through the big operators are in the South.
Corralejo and Caleta businesses are going to the wall, while English speaking tourists wander the streets of Costa Calma, Gran Tarajal etc looking for anyone who speaks English, or try to find somewhere serving British style food.. They don't exist.
German tourism to the Island has dropped drastically, so TUI, who own several of the large All Inclusive resorts in the South, are using their power to bully their subsidiaries and other smaller tour operators into sending British tourists into these complexes to take up their excess capacity.
The trouble is, that this area has been exclusively German for several decades, all the business cater fot this market, very few speak English, street signs, menus, TV, entertainment etc is all in German.
Many Brits have complained to their tour operators and asked to be transferred North, but they are told that Corralejo and Caleta have no space... roughly spherical containers!!!
Don't these people realise that not only are they killing off many well established businesses, but they are damaging their own reputations and credability.
Brits and Irish stranded in the German occupied south, will never come back to fuerteventura, they will go back to the UK/Ireland and talk to their friends, families, people they meet in the pub. "Fuerteventura, nice island, beautiful beaches, clean seas, nice hotels, but don't go there, it's full of Germans, nobody speaks English, no British food, bars close early, No English TV and nothing to do"
So all you lot out there, we all love this island and want it to prosper - so please spread the word - Tweet, facebook, blog etc, and make sure word gets out, that it is the North of this wonderful Island where there are the best facilities for British, Irish and other non German tourists.
Think you will find that most of them are ensconced in the AI places.So as long as the sea is there and there are nice clean beaches, the rest wont matter to most of them...Sad to say
We have been going to the South of the island for the past 15 years. Can't say that I have been too bothered by the lack of Rose & Crown type pubs of the availability of a Full English. Maybe its even a bonus! A few words of Spanish is all that is required to get along fine, & show some courtesy to your Canarian hosts
We are in corralejo now and it certainly ain.t full. What are the british tour operaters playing at sending the British and Irish tourist down south. I am not surprised they wont return to the island. The south of the island IS beautiful and worth a visit, but to stay there is a no no for us.
We have been eating out in Caleta this week and the resturants we have been in have been packed. Plenty of people about and although all the hotels are full the all inclusive guests were eating out in the local resturants. The situation is a lot better than trying to run a resturant in the UK...
I work in the hotels in south and no-one has ever complained to me - all the UK people we meet love Jandia and Costa Calma and come back year after year. The province of Pajara is stunningly beautiful and a real treat to spend a holiday, unless that is, you want "a pint of lager and a bag of crisps resort" [Monty Python 1967]. I hear Benidorm is lovely
Cannot agree that the South is full of British tourists. We have had our apartment in Jandia for six years and we are still surprised to hear English voices in the streets. This year is no different and there seem to be hardly any Brits about from what I have seen and heard, in the ten weeks we have been here.
Can't agree with the original poster.
If you care to check out TC, Thomsons, on the beach etc you will more availability for Corry and Caleta than down south.
But with regard to miss hearing English voices and food, come on your on holiday in a beautiful island. Why on earth go if you miss a natter and food that much. You really should go to Scarborough or Blackpool.
I come here for the change, the change of weather, food and to forget all the stuff that's happening in good old blighty.
Two weeks isn't a long time to hold out for a fish supper ;)
I visited the island for the first time in November, and stayed in the Jandia area. The beaches were fantastic (much nicer than Corralejo, which I visited twice). The hotel staff were great, and there was absolutely no problem using English. Most of the other guests were Germans, many of whom spoke English, and who were almost without exception polite, pleasant, well behaved. The food was "international" and very good. In fact, unless you have a yearning for real ale and pork scratchings, it would be hard to fault.
What planet is Austin 7 on? Brits 'wandering the streets looking for people who speak English' I would think they are busy enjoying their holiday and everything the south has to offer.
People have the choice over where they go on holiday and which resort and hotel they stay in. Most people have the facilities and intelligence to ask a question or two, or do a bit of research.
People are not plucked off the street and put into resorts they don't want to go to.
The big travel companies will try and work things to their advantage, its business, they are not stupid but neither are the holidaymakers who are parting with their money.
People who only come over for 'British style food, tv' etc are not the visitors Fuerteventura needs.
I personally have stayed in both resorts numerous times and if anything found the south to be slightly nicer due to the lack of 'X-factor and Corrie' bars .
In fuerteventura, there is a seat for every opening at the lower end of the alimentary canal through which solid waste is eliminated from the body, whatever it is you want, you will find in one resort or another. Another reason I think that we all love it.
As for tweeting and spreading the word that the north of the island is the only place for British holiday makers, I can only think this has been suggested as this would be of benefit to Austin 7 ?!
[quote
Brits and Irish stranded in the German occupied south, will never come back to fuerteventura, they will go back to the UK/Ireland and talk to their friends, families, people they meet in the pub. "Fuerteventura, nice island, beautiful beaches, clean seas, nice hotels, but don't go there, it's full of Germans, nobody speaks English, no British food, bars close early, No English TV and nothing to do"[/quote]
Oh Dear !!! They come to Fuerteventura expecting Benidorm. Well, why didn´t they go to Bl**dy Benidorm then. No English Breakfast, Disaster, No Corrie, Disaster, No X-Factor, Ahhhh I´m going to hang myself.
I just came back from a holiday where NOBODY speaks English, (only Spanish). No TVs, no British Bars. That´s the way I like it.
All the "Complainers" should check out where they´re going on TripAdviser before they go. It´s my Holiday Bible.
well said woe ;D ;D christ if people cant survive without corrie, emerdale ,carlberg lager and john smiths bitter stay at home
its only manners to learn a bit of the language to get you through
Sorry Austin 7 but was your original post meant to be a wind up???? UNBELIEVABLE
If its not a wind up I can only imagine you have lost the plot
Nice beaches down there, but we have a few nice ones up north.Walked the Jandia strip a few times and found every restaurant and bar looks the same. No backstreets just a facade of boringly similar establishments. No character and no soul. Ok for a few days to see something different but the Germans are welcome to it. Only saving grace is Morro Jables which is lovely. Unless your a naturist i can't see it having much appeal for Brits wether you love egg 'n chips and Eastenders or not. If my first foray to Fuerte was down there i probably wouldn't go back so it could be he has a point.
As the threads develop one becomes aware there are basically two types of contributors
1) Ones that need to be surrounded by their own home culture to some degree [whether they are Englsih, Scots, Germans, Italian, Greeks, Turks, Asian,etc.,etc.]
2) Those that find the local [Fuerteventuran] culture more attractive and want to integrate into the local community without changing it - and perhaps giving up their previous lifestyle and expectations
Isn't this the case all over the world, not just here?
If it was local Fuerteventurian culture and language you were getting Spike it wouldn't be a problem. But its not its German. If i want some of that i'll go to Hamburg. I don't know if its true whats said that British familys are being directed there but if they are they will surely be in for a surprise. If you go of your own accord knowing what its like then thats different.
Well, Austin7, much as I sympathise with what you see as your predicament, I can't empathise with it. The Canaries boomed on Tourism, they don't care where it comes from, they just need the akkers. GB is in the doldrums and if we don't fill their pockets someone else will have to do. It grips me off no end when I go abroad and see ghettos full of people who should really have gone on holiday in their own sub-environment in their own country instead of trying to export it abroad to the detriment of the local culture and mores, which is what some of us would prefer, having gone there expecting a flavour of the place and not a 'kiss me quick' facsimile whether it be Blackpool, Black sea, Blacken zee or otherwise.
If you leave the eastern coastal areas like Caleta, Costa Calma, Jandia, Corralejo,etc. and avoid the likes of Villa Verde and Triquiveate you'll find that the true Fuerteventura still exists - with it's old habits and culture still intact.
I've lived in Pajara and Tuineje with Gran Tarajal nearby and can assure you there is NO foreign influences in these areas. Gran Tarajal is the second largest town in Fuerteventura, in the province of Tuineje. It has NO hotels and NO apartment complexes,how did that happen?
One question, reading through the above posts it would seem that Caleta and Jandia are full or at least very busy, if that is the
case why is'nt Corralejo?????. Forget the first post, most of you have slagged that off as some nutta who does'nt no what he
is talking about, if you are all so bloody clever, how would you fill Corralejo accommodation??? The beaches are as good as,
the harbour is beautiful, the Christmas Lights are excellent,the main street (apart from the road works) is full of character,
it is not full of larger louts (only in the minds of a few). You seem to spend hour after hour being negative, why not come up
with some positive feedback on moving forward, its to everyones benefit who lives here.
The Germans (Tour Operators plus other business types) through their historical association with the Island do have far greater
influence regarding tourism than any other nationality. Everything in the first post is not poppycock, its a debate that needs to
be looked into in more detail i.e. North vs South - the difference in numbers, real reasons why???????????????????
I think it's been answered for you already, blueboy7. But if you want it bluntly, get rid of the Irish and British and every other kind of -ish themed bars and restaurants: Pull down the awful sprawl of kennel developments along the approaches. Give the place back it's authentic Spano-Canarian atmosphere so that people don't feel they're on a typical kiss-me-quick bank holiday in Blighty.
Me - I'm off to La Palma next, to try that out, to see if it's got what Fuerte had up to about 10 years ago.
I can't see how Jandia or costa calma can be that full. German bookings are in freefall the same as British according to some official figures produced on another post.
Easy answer to the Question of how to get the numbers up.... there isn't one. We may have to wait till the European financial crises eases and people are prepared to spend money. Also i would ask how the A/I are doing at the moment, maybe the ones that are here are hiding in the hotels.
If I am honest, you are probably right Waggy, debate over.
I can see no problem with Fuerteventura. Look at the North West of England. The high streets are full of empty shops, the pub trade is in free fall and the resturant business is the worst it has ever been. In my 10 years of coming here to Caleta there are more busy Hotels, Bars, Resturants and shops who look to be doing ok...
This was our ninth christmas with our restaurant in Caleta and I can only say it's been the busiest christmas by a country mile. Last year was still quite busy but because of the recession the tourists weren't spending. We are very hopeful that things are on the up.
Blueboy, I may be alone here but I don't see this forum as being a PR exercise for the tourist board. I like to see real views and opinions. If they're negative, at least they might be real.
My place is near Costa Calma, I've frequented every restaurant I can find between La Pared and Morro and I've never found one where English isn't spoken - usually very well. Bahia Pared used to struggle but the last time I went there they had an English speaker.
Morro old town is comparable to Coralejo, the Jandia strip is sufficient for the wrist-band wearers. In September Jandia was noticeably quieter than previous years - so I don't know what the bottom line is.
Well said Rveee
Spike. Just seen your comment about Villaverde.
I know that our "honest guv" estate agents like to call it "the Beverley Hills of Corralejo" but it is really more like the Beverley Hillbillys!!
We are surrounded by neighbours who dry fish on their roofs, keep donkeys, sheep, goats and chickens (the last one includes us).
Traditional culture exists all over the island, not just in Pajara.
Quote from: Magoo on December 24, 2012, 22:03:34 PM
We have been going to the South of the island for the past 15 years. Can't say that I have been too bothered by the lack of Rose & Crown type pubs of the availability of a Full English. Maybe its even a bonus!
I agree, who the hell wants all the above, I go to get away from England not find it,and as for Corralejo [i know we all have different tastes] but as long as I have a hole in my rear end that place will never see me again!
Quote from: pestcatore on January 01, 2013, 09:35:03 AM
Quote from: Magoo on December 24, 2012, 22:03:34 PM
We have been going to the South of the island for the past 15 years. Can't say that I have been too bothered by the lack of Rose & Crown type pubs of the availability of a Full English. Maybe its even a bonus!
I agree, who the hell wants all the above, I go to get away from England not find it,and as for Corralejo [i know we all have different tastes] but as long as I have a hole in my rear end that place will never see me again!
Interesting you should say that. When we were planning our 1st Fuerty trip, the travel agent recomended Corralejo. However, after trawling the internet, I saw some reviews for the Sol Elite Gorriones, thought it looked good, went for it & loved it. We have returned to the area once or twice a year ever since. If we had taken the advice of the travel agent, I doubt if we would have returned at all.
Branding all Brits as beer swilling, Corrie watching folk, who want nothing more than Blackpool with sun, is just wrong. However, people should know what they are buying when it comes to a holiday, it is their cash they are parting with. These days, with the Internet, that is not difficult.
chrisandjan - I do believe there are still a few Anglo Saxons in Bradford
Quote from: Spike On Q on January 05, 2013, 11:22:14 AM
chrisandjan - I do believe there are still a few Anglo Saxons in Bradford
RASCIST !!!
This whole thread has been racist against against brits, but one dubious comment is made about another culture and you jump all over them straight away. What a hypocrite.
That is a new experience, being called a rascist. I'm 65, bought up in a poor part of a small midland town through the 50's ans 60's and in the entertainment business through it's soul and motown years, with mates like Jimmy James, Geno Washington, etc.! I traveled all over the world when employed by an American corporation and went out of my way to fit into the local culture as quickly as I could. I ran a manufacturing plant in East London with over 100 Asian workers on the staff. I spent some time in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem working with some wonderful Jewish people, so it upsets me if you think I'm a racist
Woe if you read the chrisandjan thread re. native Majoraros still living in Villa Verde you may reconsider as it was never intended as racist.
Quote from: Spike On Q on January 06, 2013, 19:08:01 PM
That is a new experience, being called a rascist. I'm 65, bought up in a poor part of a small midland town through the 50's ans 60's and in the entertainment business through it's soul and motown years, with mates like Jimmy James, Geno Washington, etc.! I traveled all over the world when employed by an American corporation and went out of my way to fit into the local culture as quickly as I could. I ran a manufacturing plant in East London with over 100 Asian workers on the staff. I spent some time in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem working with some wonderful Jewish people, so it upsets me if you think I'm a racist
Woe if you read the chrisandjan thread re. native Majoraros still living in Villa Verde you may reconsider as it was never intended as racist.
Spike: Do you know what the word BROMA means 8)
Well Woe - one meaning I seem to remember was from the 60's Mod slang but I never saw it written so have no idea how it was spelt. It meant "fantastic" i.e. "it's a broma" meaning "it's very good" [a bit like "stota" in the Scottish vernacular][ did you see the Stanley Baxter show on TV last night "Parliamo Glaswegio"!!!]
The other meaning I seem to remember is a replacement for a "joke"
Do you think I'm being over sensitive, it's just that I hate racism of any kind and always have done?
Dont get upset Spike take it for what it is.......Woe is a Daily Mail reader..That`s all you need to know....as for Bradford, there isnt many Anglo Saxons still living there.The vast majority have left .....fact...
Nowt wrong with the DM Voldermort. As for Bradford, it´s not the only place in the UK that has a "Shortage" of Anglo Saxons, and as for "Rascism" , the word has been taken completely out of context in the UK in the last 20 years or so. Starting with the abolishing of the "Black & White Minstrel Show" and "Golliwogs on Jam Jars". The whole thing´s a Joke (Broma in Spanish). I call a Spade a Spade, always have done, too old to change now, and I don´t give a damn what Politicians say what I can say or cannot say :'( :'(
That last comment was a bit racist Woe - some of my best friends are "Spades" from the West Indies!
Anyone know where that word came from - used alot in the 60's and 70's, but not so much lately.
hi spike "black as the ace of spades" shortened to "spades"
as for the thread, I think the people going to the south of the island do so of their own free will, simply because the standards are higher down there, that is certainly my experience over the years,
Quote from: thomo on January 07, 2013, 09:32:31 AM
hi spike "black as the ace of spades" shortened to "spades"
as for the thread, I think the people going to the south of the island do so of their own free will, simply because the standards are higher down there, that is certainly my experience over the years,
Got to agree with you there thomo. Read the disgusting comments on Tripadvisor about the supposed "Best Hotel in Caleta" the 5 Star Sheraton.
Cobwebs hanging from light fittings
Windows not cleaned for 2 weeks. (bearing in mind they are facing the Sea Spray 24/7)
3 euros to replenish a small bottle of water in the mini-bar.
20 euros to use the indoor pool.
Service non-existant, cold food etc.. etc.. The list goes on.
Just love the way some people run down newspapers read by others without telling us the ones they actually read themselves. So which of them is it that is so truthful and without fault that we should all change. The Guardian?, The Mirror?. Even the Sun's better and more informative than those two. They all have their own particular political agenda so just go for the best one for sport and you can't go wrong.
Ps woe if you are going to enlarge a word for maximum effect its best to spell it right. You are letting down all us semi illiterate Express Sun and Mail readers.
Quote from: stedge on January 07, 2013, 11:19:48 AM
Just love the way some people run down newspapers read by others without telling us the ones they actually read themselves. So which of them is it that is so truthful and without fault that we should all change. The Guardian?, The Mirror?. Even the Sun's better and more informative than those two. They all have their own particular political agenda so just go for the best one for sport and you can't go wrong.
Ps woe if you are going to enlarge a word for maximum effect its best to spell it right. You are letting down all us semi illiterate Express Sun and Mail readers.
Hmmmm ... 100 lines for me. RACIST, RACIST, RACIST + 97 :-X
Been staying here in Corrie since 19th December
this is our ninth year in a row that we have stayed at this
time of year and I can honestly say that I have NEVER known
there to be So many Non British or Irish visitors walking around
There must be a similar thread on the "German/Dutch/italian/russian"
versions of Fuerte Forum saying "Such and such being pushed into wrong resorts"
So although Brits may be being pushed into wrong resorts the bedrooms are being
taken up and therefore in my opinion Corrie has been extremely busy over the last
couple of weeks and I have noticed that the bar owners have stopped complaining
about no one coming in and spending money
Now lets not start calling Blackpool. I spent all my holidays from age 3 to 8 there at Mrs Browns B&B before we found Hawkshead in the Lakes. Then as a young drinking man in the 70s and 80s it was a top place to be. I saw Quo, Genesis and even Bobby Davro.The Top Rank was class... Happy Days
Which band was Bobby Davro in?
Hmmm - lots of interesting comments.
I started this post because over the Christmas period I was hearing from the British businesses in town, that they were all around 50% (or in some cases more) down on Last year, many of these busines were waiting for the Xmas rush to be able to pay off debts and keep them going til summer, unfortunately this has not happened and there will inevitably be casualties.
I also had a faily large number of British and Irish tourists who had hired cars and come north for the day, who complained to me about the lack of trips/excursions available in the south, the fact that they had found few English speakers, and that everything was geared to the German market.
Whatever you think about having pubs with British Beer and soaps, and full English breakfasts, in the south you are getting bars with German beers & soaps, and German style food.
OK I agree that we don't want to be another Blackpool with sun, but, a lot of tourists do want to be able to have entertainment that they understand.
However the main theme of my post was to highlight the fact that in Corralejo and Caleta, there are businesses that rely on the British and Irish trade, and that their traditional customers, love them or hate them, were not happy being in a predominately German envorinment.
If the majority of the south was typically Spanish, with that culture predominating, then there would not be a problem - that would be expected, but that is not the case, the tourist industry in the south is virtually 100% geared to the German market, and no matter where you are from, when you come to a Spanish Island you should expect Spanish cultures to prevail with a bit of international flavours thrown in - not German culture..
Finaly several posters have made derisory comments about Caleta and Corralejo being full of British bars, and "full English" pubs, however the same is true in the south - only its not British pubs/entertainment, nor is it Spanish, it is German, and not to the taste of the vast majority of British holiday-makers
The bottom line is that tourist numbers from Britain, Germany and the Spanish mainland are down, due to UK flight cuts and the impact of the recession. However, Turismo are busy promoting Fuerte to the rest of the world, especially Scandinavia, Poland and Russia. So tourists are likely to be much more international in future, rather than just British, German or Spanish. This is pushing up standards in all the resorts to cater for a more demanding clientele (ie since the French starting coming most of the nasty plastic tables and chairs have been abolished in favour of more upmarket alternatives.) And then there is the push for quality contained within the new tourism legislation coming into force in May. While recognising it's importance, the whole strategy is to move away from cheap bucket and spade holidays and into 5 star territory by creating a more upmarket tourism offer. If they manage to do this, local businesses will need to adapt to a changing model of tourism on the islands.
In early December myself and three friends visited Corralejo. My friends had not been there before and we would have had lunch and maybe a few beers. We may have even spent some money in the junk shops that line the main street. About half way down the main street there is a bloody big digger parked in the middle of the road with an arrow pointing left. We duly turned left and followed the road to the harbour had a cup of coffee each and then fcuked off back to Caleta. I have been told that the digger has been parked there for months. Is this a case of the Irish been pushed out by a digger. I was a case of lost revenue to the local traders.
If they want 5 star bars and restaurants to cater for 5 star clientelle they will have to bulldoze half of corralejo including the atlantico centre.You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear and i can't see it being a new canarian Marbella and a playground for the wealthy.It'll need far more spent on the place than they will be willing or able to. Lets just hope once the recession is over and the English Germans and Irish are knocking on the door again they don't regret trying to change the face of the place for a short term fix. Same in my opinion goes for Caleta.
They could move that Fcukin digger for a start.
No way this island will become 5 star. They haven't the money to spend for a start and most people that holiday here return because of the island and its facilities be they Spanish, British or German so it can't be all that bad.
As for the Russians pushing up the standards have you ever been on holiday in place they frequent? They are like seventies football hooligans and would ruin the ambiance that Fraggle Rock is renowned for, trust me.
Agree with that 100%. East Europeans whatever they are are not known for their delicate tastes and manners. I get a bit fed up listening to all the rubbish about tapping the gay, russian, polish Chinese and you name it market. They are never going to be the answer to the problem either on their own o even all together. The Canaries best course of action is to wait for better times and continue to woo the customers who have always kept the island afloat with both real estate purchase and tourism. Yep the good old Brits Irish Krauts Belgians French and scandinavians. (not in any particular order)They'll come good again don't worry about that.
Hi Dagwood, the digger has been there, what seems like years, not months, its the longest highways job in history ref "time vs distance covered". Talk about commercial suicide. Just ONCE in the whole history of what the Spanish start and never finish , or finish and never bother with again, or finish and just leave empty and turn to ruins, you would think they would have put all of their energy into completing the main drag as quickly as possible. You just wonder sometimes if they are bothered about a future.
On the subject of Eastern Europeans, I have been speaking to a Russian tourist currently on the island. He had to drive to Finland, fly to Bremen and connect flight to Fuerte. Due to the Russian banks being number two, he's had to bring cash for everything. He's staying in rented villas not hotels.
There's certainly money to be made from that area and 5 star hotels are not always the way. He may be the first, probably not the last.
You just gave the reason yourself why it probably is not a viable proposition to expect them in any great numbers. The logistical problems alone look enough to make them look elsewhere.And all that cash will have the islands burglars licking their lips in anticipation..
The first direct flights to Fuerte from Russia have already been agreed. The market is already saturated with Russians in Tenerife and Fuerte wants some of the action. It is the Russian investment in Tenerife that is partially driving the new tourism laws, and yes, they are demolishing old hotels and building new 5 star ones, left right and centre in Tenerife and Gran Canaria - this is the new tourism model. Knock it down and start again. The new law contains a duty to upgrade and renovate with incentives to improve quality and threats to expropriate hotels and aparthotels that fail to meet the new tourist standards. This is because much of the tourist accommodation is donkeys years old in Playa de Las Ingles, Los Cristianos and Playa De Las Americas and the only way to upgrade it without consuming more tourist land is to knock it down.
In Fuerte we have plenty of land and not so much obsolete accommodation, but they are ploughing ahead with this one size fits all law, regardless it seems.
As far as whether or not the Russians are more upmarket or not - they don't care - apparently they spend more money and that's all they are interested in.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Time will tell.
The diggers went at the turn of the year and we now have the main street back. :) Mind you, when you were having a coffee down by the harbour, Dagwood, you were probably 50 metres away from lovely places to chill out - Corralejo's not an enormous place. It was certainly inconvenient, but it's over now. Do please come back! :-*
The hotel I was in in November in Jandia had a small group of Eastern Europeans arrive. They were dreadfully behaved, spent many hours shouting at each other on their balconies, were drunk most of the time, turned up at dinner in vests and shorts, basically spoiled the holiday for a lot of people unfortunate enough to be in rooms near them. I stopped going to Cyprus years ago because of the influx of Russian thugs. Maybe the Canaries are going the same way?
Quote from: SheilaW on January 11, 2013, 21:22:56 PM
The diggers went at the turn of the year and we now have the main street back. :) Mind you, when you were having a coffee down by the harbour, Dagwood, you were probably 50 metres away from lovely places to chill out - Corralejo's not an enormous place. It was certainly inconvenient, but it's over now. Do please come back! :-*
Thanks Sheila thats good news. I know my way around Coralejo ok but when the main street is blocked it makes less easy to find where you want to park etc. We spent a good hour looking at the boats and taking pictures. All Im saying is someone lost out on our few bob.
Maybe they will prefer Tenerife! Apparently now every summer in Tenerife Eastern European gangs descend to rob the elderly tourists in supermarkets by distracting them. You have to ask yourself where some of the Russian money is coming from, mafia-type activity and the like. They can clean up the money by investing in property and Spain has the weakest money laundering laws in Europe, so very attractive. I'm all for Fuerte becoming more international and moving away from all these national stereotypes, but I think the Government is incredibly naive.
Go to somewhere like Sharm El Sheik where Russian tourists are in abundance. It will tell you all you need to know about whats in store for fuerteventura. Last one out turn off the lights.
Hi there, about two and a half years ago Herself and Meself were staying at a nice walled in Villa just outside Cabo Roig in Spain. The first night we were there the place was broken by forceing a door into a living room while we were asleep. Nothing of great value execpt a Phone and a small amount of cash was taken from us, but they stole the keys of our hired car and took the car. Needless to say the whole thing messed up our holiday and we are in no hurry to go back. Because the hire car was stolen the Police put some effort into investagating the crime and caught the two young Brits who robbed us and stole the car. It seems these two yobs and their friends were, as they say "known to the Police". No Russian involvement in this case.
Nor Spanish by the sound of it.
I watched a shoplifter in London once, she wasn't Russian either they must all be nice people eh?
or you could park the car and walk 500 yrds ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: whyme on January 12, 2013, 22:44:10 PM
I watched a shoplifter in London once, she wasn't Russian either they must all be nice people eh?
Was she not tall and slim and very good looking? Anyway Gremans and Russians not a good mix.
From El Pais:
Russian visitors break tourism and spending records
But there is one group of foreign visitors to Spain that has broken all the tourism records: Russians.
Between January and November last year, the number of Russian visitors increased by 42 percent in comparison to that same period in 2011. For the first time, over one million Russians visited here last year. What Russians spent in Spain also surpassed the cash forked out by other foreign tourists.
Nevertheless, for every Russian tourist, there are 13 who come from Great Britain.
From January to November, 1.17 million Russians came to Spain, according to data from the Industry, Energy and Tourism Ministry. In 2010, some 605,276 people from the former Soviet Union arrived in Spain.
Among the reasons why Spain has become a popular destination are a rise in the number of Russian tourist operators and relaxation of restrictions on visas. Tourism campaigns in Moscow have also increased while some regions, such as Catalonia, have opened their own offices in the Russian capital.
Air routes have also improved with Lufthansa, Swissair and Vueling offering services between Moscow and Barcelona and Madrid.
But while these figures are seen as positive, they are still not enough to support the entire tourism sector. For example the 45,247 tourists from Russia who came to Spain in November only made up 1.5 percent of all the foreign nationals who visited Spain that month. And the total 1.17 million Russians who came last year made up 2.1 percent of all foreign visitors to Spain.
Britain continues to lead the Spanish tourism sector, with 13 million visitors last year, followed by Germany, with nine million; France, with 8.5 million; and 3.4 million coming from Italy.
Yet compared with visitors from other countries, Russians spend more. According to Egatur, the average Russian spent 988 euros compared to the average Briton, who spent 807 euros.
And Russians are not just visiting - they are also snatching up properties on Spain's Mediterranean coast.
On the Costa Dorada and the Costa del Sol, realtors are now targeting Russian buyers. In complexes such as Europa Dom on the Costa Dorada, 75 percent of the properties are Russian-owned.
One swallow don't make a summer. 2.1% of all visitors is still chicken feed. Another 5 years time and the writing will be on the wall as to wether its time to jump ship or not. One good thing is if they are 'snatching up' property it will give those who want to get out while the goings good, a chance to do so.
PS they spend a lot but they also nick a lot)
Island Connections have their Russian publication ready. Their distribution plan is to have a copy on every Russian persons bus transfer seat.
I can think of something different to put on every seat lol.
If they put as much effort into the other 97.9 % of visitors then they could be on a winner. It will all end in tears :(
You coudn't make it up, Eh Peejay.
A bit of maths here, 1 russian spending 988 euros = 988 euros, 13 Brits spending 807 Euros = 10,491 Euros.
And a site less hassle.
and a crowded bar...not an empty one)
Sounds like Island Connections are a bit desperate............last shake of the dice??
The thinking is that they need to attract less tourists who spend more money. This is what this so-called move to 'quality' tourism is all about. The higher the number of tourists, the greater the pressure on island infrastructure and the more they need to invest in hospitals, desalination plants etc. Also, the hoteliers are complaining they are not making any money out of the cheaper end of the market and the all-inclusives hardly make any money either, plus they draw business away from local bars and restaurants. What a huge surprise to us all!!
So, they are attempting to legislate to effectively fix the market to attract a so-called 'higher class' of tourist who spends more. Then they can just sit back and watch the money roll in!
Whether or not there are actually enough of these 'higher class' tourists to go round in a global recession is another issue. And whether these high rollers want to visit the Canaries, yet another question. But I guess this is one of the reasons for them wooing the Russians as us Western Europeans are broke, so no longer of any interest!
Cracks are already beginning to show though in the draft legislation going through the Canarian Parliament. From saying that they only want 5 star, there is now a recognition that not every tourist wants 5 star, so 4 star might be ok as well. Of course, a more sensible way forward, would be to ask the actual tourists what they wanted, but I realise I'm just being silly now!
Peejay, unless you've been in a hotel with Russian tourists you can't imagine what a nightmare they are. Add a boozy brit tourist in the Costas from the eighties to an arrogant and rude German tourist of years gone by and times by ten that's not even close to how bad they are.
All for the island trying to better itself but the Russians will lower the tone quite considerably not improve it.
I have no experience of them, but have heard similar reports to yours Whyme. I have enjoyed the greater influx of tourists to Fuerte from the rest of Europe and Scandinavia and have never had a problem staying with the Germans (everything is so well organised!) but not sure what to expect here. Will have to wait and see. I think it's only one direct flight a week at first, so we're hardly going to be overrun.
I honestly can't wait for you to meet your first family. Hope you share your experience with us.
We've stayed both in Jandia (first visit) and Corralejo (subsequent visits). I think it is fair to characterise the South as more Germanic orientated and quieter and the North as more British but livelier (OK possibly tackier). Nothing wrong with either.
Our personal opinion:
Jandia has better beaches and nice hotels, but literally nothing to do in terms of Pubs and any decent restaurants, also probably the furthest location from anywhere you may want to tour to (apart from Villa Winter) Morro Jable is wonderful. Maybe we missed it, but there is literally nothing to do off site unless you count the British Pub up on the Boot and Ball? up on the first floor of a shopping restaurant complex.
Corralejo, seems busier and has nice restaurants (admittedly mixed with poor). Much more to do for the Brit (also has it's fair sprinkling of Germans and Scandinavians.) We love it.
Anyway each to their own.....
Quite. There's plenty of choice for everybody. It is surprising how different it is down South, compared to the North of the island. Lovely beaches down South, but it is much more pristinely developed, which feels a bit odd. I mean do they really need a motorway? (in 10 mins ours was the only car on either carriageway!). Feels more like an upmarket resort in mainland Spain, than a little island.
I prefer the North with all its scruffiness - I even remember the days when buildings in Puerto del Rosario still had the iron bars sticking out of the concrete roofs to avoid paying tax! (unfinished roof = no tax). Though I'm glad they sorted that out, looked like a Middle Eastern war zone!
Quote from: waggy on December 26, 2012, 21:46:48 PM
I think it's been answered for you already, blueboy7. But if you want it bluntly, get rid of the Irish and British and every other kind of -ish themed bars and restaurants: Pull down the awful sprawl of kennel developments along the approaches. Give the place back it's authentic Spano-Canarian atmosphere so that people don't feel they're on a typical kiss-me-quick bank holiday in Blighty.
Me - I'm off to La Palma next, to try that out, to see if it's got what Fuerte had up to about 10 years ago.
One of the main reasons we stopped holidaying on Fuerte.
But before anyone takes a pot shot :-* We started going to Fuerte because of the peace and slow pace, over the last 20 odd years things changed just a bit which made us feel we were not getting the same enjoyment out of the holiday.
Tony
You won't get the typical authentic Canarian atmosphere if you holiday in Caleta or Corralejo thats for sure. Or German occupied jandia come to that. But you still get it in the smaller coastal resorts and the inland villages by the bucketful. Thats what i like about the place. Canarian culture if you want it and Brit bars restaurants and waterparks if you don't. As the old saying goes variety is the spice of life and Fuerteventure certainly has that.
That's the reason we love it too Stedge. I love Caleta and all it's little quirks. But we also love travelling round to places such as Aujy and Taralaejo to visit the lovely restaurants and beautiful scenery. There are lots of fabulous out of the way places, you just need to look.
There's hell of a lot of nice places tucked away,just need to drive to 'em,so desolate in some spots,serene,tranquil,like heaven on earth i suppose......
It sure is Paddy, but sshhhhh dont tell everyone :-X