brits being pushed into wrong resorts

[peejay]

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.

[Ivemovedon]

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.

[dagwood]

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.   

[meggie]

Nor Spanish by the sound of it.

[whyme]

I watched a shoplifter in London once, she wasn't Russian either they must all be nice people eh?

[Elite of the forum]

or you could park the car and walk 500 yrds 

[dagwood]

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.

[peejay]

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.

[Ivemovedon]

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)

[fifi]

Island Connections have their Russian publication ready. Their distribution plan is to have a copy on every Russian persons bus transfer seat.

[Ivemovedon]

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 

[whyme]

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.

[Ivemovedon]

and a crowded bar...not an empty one)

[Voldermort]

Sounds like Island Connections are a bit desperate............last shake of the dice??

[peejay]

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!

[whyme]

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.

[peejay]

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.

[whyme]

I honestly can't wait for you to meet your first family. Hope you share your experience with us.

[FuerteMakesMeHappy]

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.....

[peejay]

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!

[Tony and Irene]

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

[Ivemovedon]

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.

[glenys]

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.

[Paddster]

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......

[Ronnietheblue]

It sure is Paddy, but sshhhhh dont tell everyone