Increasing "High End" segment (wealthy tourists) would it be a good thing?

[FuerteMakesMeHappy]

In FuertExtra  ( http://www.fuertextra.com ) there is an article about the intention of Fuerte's powers that be to increase the 5* share of the tourist business at the expense of lesser packages, specifically mentioning trying to increase the number of Russian visitors who tend to spend about €40 a day more than other tourists. Having said that we never stay AI and I'm pretty sure we must be up there with our Russian friends given our bank balance at end of hols.

It may be a good thing for the islands businesses and residents, but it would probably destroy the Fuerte my wife and I know and love. We'd still come if we could afford it, but it just would not be Fuerte. If you compare the cost of a holiday in Fuerte with that of a 5* long haul from UK (Cancun, West Indies - Don't even think about Maldives etc) the difference is a real eye opener (£300 - £500 per night), so maybe El Presidente has a point in aiming high.

I don't see it flying yet though (no pun intended) unless, the place is A) tidied up and B) upgrading the flights you can get here (at least from the UK) which are very, very basic.

[fifi]

I think that rental prices in Fuerteventura are far too cheap. Last night a friend of mine and I were looking for accommodation for 30th July for a week  in Mallorca. The flights are already booked. The average apartment was between €700 and €1100 per week....nothing special, just basic private accommodation for two. Have a look at the prices here as an example... http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/balearics/B3689.htm The tour operators prices were similar. We tried all the usual sites, Alpharooms, Hotels.com, Ryanairs accommodation site etc.

You can get similar accommodation in Fuerteventura in a privately owned apartment for €200 or €300 per week.

I think that a lot of bars and restaurants in Fuerteventura have their prices set so low that they run the risk of going out of business. If they upped them they would stand a better chance of making a profit and be able to upgrade their premises, not to mention pay their staff a decent wage and give them a contract. Some bars and restaurants are looking a little the worse for wear and without a healthy profit they will further deteriorate.

Just my opinion. There are some lovely people in business on the Island and I wish them well but I think the way forward is to be slightly more upmarket and charge a little more.

There are incentives being given to Hotels and Apartment complexes to upgrade and achieve a higher star rating on the Island. I think it is a good idea. Without the incentives places would eventually get even more run down. Having said that I dont think that there is much demand on the Island for five star accommodation. The Sheraton in Caleta is always almost empty.

[austin7]

Getting people here with money in their pockets would be great, no matter where they're from, at the moment the constant push of the tour operators to insist on All Inclusive, is killing the towns.

The owners of the businesses would like to be able to make better profits, in fact some would just like to make a profit, compared to Ireland the prices here are cheap, however the same was not true for UK tourists, they were finding the prices similar or the same as the UK.

In the past couple of weeks though, the pound has got stronger, or Euro weaker, now making it cheaper for UK tourists, who are still the largest group by far, the difficulty is getting them out of their AI complexes into the town.

There areno simple answers, but everyone agrees something has to be done, or Corralejo will just end up a Ghost town.

[FuerteMakesMeHappy]

Hi FiFi

I do feel like a Turkey voting for Christmas, but if charging more and upgrading the facilities on Fuerteventura is the way forward for the businesses on the island, then so be it. I'd rather pay more in order for the businesses we frequent to survive.

We live in a World now where the wealthier are  spending more, whereas those less well off are having to to cut back. Maybe to survive and thrive, Fuerte does need to attract the better off.

The prices of accommodation on Fuerte, are in comparison to other places ridiculously cheap. A case could be made that the man made amenities do not compare, but the Weather and Beaches do.

At the risk of offending, Fuerte (and most of the Canaries) have a down market rep that probably prevents the image concious visiting (I always say to people who I recommend Fuerte to, not to expect to see Posh and Becks wandering around Corralejo). Personally I could not give a s*** about Fuerte's "image", I just love the place, but basing your future on what my wife and I like, may not be a viable business plan for those trying to make a living here

In terms of "worse for wear" we've been coming here for quite a few years (mainly Corralejo) and have not noticed a large scale degradation of the place, but there is a general feel that the businesses both accommodation and bars etc. are struggling, even though a lot of effort seems to have been put into revamping the beach front, the signs of lack of investment in other areas does stand out.

[woe10]

Quote:  "Russian visitors who tend to spend about €40 a day more than other tourists."   

[kevc00l]

i can fly from newcastle to mallorca for £100 return... but it costs me more to fly to fuerte... we are well travelled  and will pay what it costs. were in a position where we can choose where we go either SC or AI. i did a poll on here and im in the higher bracket for spending money on holiday! yes there are run down places everywhere all over the world. there is a complex in caleta  near the happy center that has been done up but never opened

I always thought the russians were poor!!

[peggy]

Surely, if Fuerte went "up market" The average working man and his family would not be able to afford to holiday in Fuerte. We love Fuerte because it is family orientated and enjoy visiting as often as we can - sometimes for 3 months at a time -  and wouldn't like to see it change too much. The powers that be have made some improvements like improving roads and smartening up the old town in Corrie but it is still the hard working resteraunt and bar owners getting no help and they won't if more Al hotels appear. What is the answer? i don't know.....

[lionfish]

I mentioned this to a German friend tonight and his comment was that the wealthy Russians were attracted to Austria, they visited 3 or 4 times, but in the meantime the Germans, French, Italians etc pulled out because they didn't like being around the Russians. The Russians soon pulled out themselves in seach of pastures new and the Germans, French, Italians etc never returned - is that what we want here?

[KWC]

I mentioned this to a German friend tonight and his comment was that the wealthy Russians were attracted to Austria, they visited 3 or 4 times, but in the meantime the Germans, French, Italians etc pulled out because they didn't like being around the Russians. The Russians soon pulled out themselves in seach of pastures new and the Germans, French, Italians etc never returned - is that what we want here?

Good point Lionfish

[Sonia.s]

I mentioned this to a German friend tonight and his comment was that the wealthy Russians were attracted to Austria, they visited 3 or 4 times, but in the meantime the Germans, French, Italians etc pulled out because they didn't like being around the Russians. The Russians soon pulled out themselves in seach of pastures new and the Germans, French, Italians etc never returned - is that what we want here?

We have travelled a lot and mixed happily with many nationalities but like the Germans & French etc. we will be pulling out if the Russians invade. We have come across groups of Russians several times on holiday and also have experience of working with them. We don't like to stereotype nationalities but have always found the Russians to be less than charming to say the least.

[PeterHeirman]

There are already too many places for wealthy people. From Marbella, St Tropez - Monaco, Croatia to Dubai. There are not enough wealthy people for all the high-end accommodation available in the world. 
The crisis has hit the rental market for luxury cruise ships in the Med: about 55% were unoccupied this summer - even at 40% -50% discount

And why the hell would any rich go to Fuerte ?
There is no real shopping: just sand, sun, beach, wind and a Zara.

The mid-upper class didn't even buy the villas around the nine hole golf near Corralejo.

[PeterHeirman]

If Russians come - many other don't come any more.