Visitor Numbers Up

Captain Sensible · December 13, 2017, 10:49:18 AM

In November, Fuerteventura Airport had a movement of 506,399 passengers(arrivals + departures), which is 8.3% more than the same month last year, according to statistics made public by AENA.
Between Jan and Nov 2017 there has been a total of 5,557,794 passengers (arrivals + departures), which is a 6.4% increase on the same period last year.
The airport is the 11th busiest in Spain.

Captain Sensible · December 29, 2017, 19:02:17 PM

For the first time in history, 6 million passengers have used Fuerteventura airport.

51 airlines operate from 83 destinations.
www.ondafuerteventura.es/aeropuerto-fuerteventura-recibe-al-pasajero-6-millones-2017/

Can the Man · December 30, 2017, 02:45:55 AM

That`s great news, shows how popular Fuerteventura has become

Windermeregolfer · December 30, 2017, 08:37:36 AM

There will be differing views about this news I am sure, particularly when you link it to the increase cruise liners stops.

All good for the island economy but I think there will be some who chose / choose the island as it was / is not as commercialised / touristy as some of the other Canary Islands.

erik_tonny · December 30, 2017, 09:05:44 AM

That`s horrible news, shows how popular Fuerteventura has become

Ivemovedon · December 30, 2017, 12:41:01 PM

Beats me why anybody who chose FV to live ,especially years ago can enjoy the thought of it becoming the over populated tourist mecca it's gradually turning into today. Fair enough if you do, but it's strange if what you originally went there for was the laid back, uncrowded, low density traffic, Macdonalds and burger king free place it once was.

erik_tonny · December 30, 2017, 12:52:13 PM

Quote from: Ivemovedon on December 30, 2017, 12:41:01 PM
Beats me why anybody who chose FV to live ,especially years ago can enjoy the thought of it becoming the over populated tourist mecca it's gradually turning into today. Fair enough if you do, but it's strange if what you originally went there for was the laid back, uncrowded, low density traffic, Macdonalds and burger king free place it once was.

Exactly why we are leaving as soon as spring is in the air. Enjoying the last good thing FV has to offer us: a mild climate during the winter.

chrisandco · December 30, 2017, 15:39:44 PM

So where are you going to find your next peaceful, Burger King - free home?
The Falklands? Or maybe the Outer Hebrides?
Get real. The whole world is changing. Fuerteventura is still 20 years behind the other islands and a whole world away from the major European conurbations.
Sure, it is busier than it used to be but change happens - get used to it.
I can still drive my car on uncrowded roads. I can still find a beach with hardly anyone on it.
Sometimes, when I read some of the stuff on here, I wonder if we are talking about the same place.

Ivemovedon · December 30, 2017, 15:43:24 PM

Point being made was why anyone who moved there for those reasons would want to see those changes. Whether or not its happening and at what rate is a matter of opinion. I think you read it wrong.

chrisandco · December 30, 2017, 15:54:17 PM

No I didn't read it wrong. You were the only one who made that particular point.
The increase in tourist numbers ( the original point of the thread) is not a problem in itself and is good for the island economy.

erik_tonny · December 30, 2017, 16:07:19 PM

Quote from: chrisandco on December 30, 2017, 15:54:17 PM
No I didn't read it wrong. You were the only one who made that particular point.
The increase in tourist numbers ( the original point of the thread) is not a problem in itself and is good for the island economy.

It's not just the increase in tourist numbers but the quality of the tourists and new ex-pats.
Thanks to heaven there are still a lot of places that not have an attraction to scum.

Ivemovedon · December 30, 2017, 16:27:44 PM

I'd say there's probably two differing points of view here. Those who need to make money on the island and those who don't.

FV is no longer 20 years behind the other canary islands, they've caught up pretty damned fast over the last 10 years. Try La Gomera , you may get lucky there.

chrisandco · December 30, 2017, 17:02:07 PM

Fortunately, I have retired now so no longer need to make money and have more time to enjoy this beautiful and peaceful island. I also have time to visit other places with gridlocked traffic, swarms of people,some of which may be "scum".
As I said, everywhere changes. Isn't it great that we can live wherever we want.

Ivemovedon · December 30, 2017, 17:18:17 PM

Sure is. I still love London despite the swarms of multicultural humanity and fume ridden gridlocked traffic.

In fact it's what makes it so vibrant. It's also the one of the reasons I had a a place in FV. Chalk and cheese you might say. Might be a bit naive but I like to think it will stay that way.

chrisandco · December 30, 2017, 17:44:54 PM

It is still a peaceful place to be.
Out of interest, the population per km2 is about the same as Scotland.
Obviously, there are busy centres, mainly around touristic areas but lots of wide open spaces with not a car or a person in sight.
The island population is still way behind (c 110k v 840k for GC and 950k for Tenerife) so still a long way to go to catch up.

Ivemovedon · December 30, 2017, 18:27:40 PM

Even the UK has its isolated places Chris. That's why they are isolated, because nobody goes there, the crowds are all stuck in the teeming areas of commercial interest.

The rural areas of FV probably stay much as they were, most of them anyway. I can say though with certainty that places like Lajares have changed enormously over 10 years and if the next 10 or 20 go at the same rate the place will no longer be a haven of tranquility as it was to me in 2002.

We all have our own idea of how we would like to see the island progress, but lets hope that progress doesn't mean despoiling.

dagwood · December 30, 2017, 18:40:06 PM

Quote from: chrisandco on December 30, 2017, 17:44:54 PM
It is still a peaceful place to be.
Out of interest, the population per km2 is about the same as Scotland.
Obviously, there are busy centres, mainly around touristic areas but lots of wide open spaces with not a car or a person in sight.
The island population is still way behind (c 110k v 840k for GC and 950k for Tenerife) so still a long way to go to catch up.

You will probably find that Scotland and Fuerteventura have a difference in temperatures and daylight hours at this time of year 😅

chrisandco · December 31, 2017, 10:23:50 AM

I agree, Ashworth.
We went back to visit the mother in law in September. She lives near Paignton in south Devon.
We stayed with another relative about 10 miles away. The traffic was horrendous. The shops were heaving.
We always said that the South Hams was somewhere that we would like to live but not any more.
You expect London to be busy, just like Madrid or even Last Palmas but rural England is, unfortunately, be coming less rural.

Ivemovedon · December 31, 2017, 11:04:03 AM

I understand you like FV the way it is. Surely the whole direction of this thread from the arrival of thousands more tourists and the social changes it will bring indicate it is highly unlikely to stay that way too much longer.

Hence my question , why would anyone who loves it the way it is delight in the main reason that will change it?

Turkeys voting for Xmas.

dagwood · December 31, 2017, 12:08:39 PM

Why not have a massive price increase possibly equivalent to the cost of visiting Monaco or Montecarlo. Of course you would need to change the duty free status to keep the rifraf out who load up with cheap cigs and drink before they fly home . You would keep the cost down in the rural areas for the locals and us in the know to eat and drink. The low cost airlines would give up flying to Fuerteventura as they would no get enough of ordinary people to fill the planes and the airport would only open by appointment. Reminds me of another larger island who voted for exclusivity lately.
What a small price to pay for being on your own.

woe10 · December 31, 2017, 12:34:55 PM

That's great news. FOR THE ALREADY RICH ALL INCLUSIVE HOTEL CHAINS.

Ivemovedon · December 31, 2017, 13:03:07 PM

.Won't have to worry about a cheap meal..... plenty of chain burger joints to take the strain of the extra tourists. Goat stew, who needs it?

dagwood · December 31, 2017, 13:06:33 PM

But there`s a great coffee shop in Antigua.

paully · December 31, 2017, 13:07:54 PM

Quote from: dagwood on December 31, 2017, 13:06:33 PM
But there`s a great coffee shop in Antigua.

Hush Dagwood....or it`ll be overrun with tourists

chrisandco · December 31, 2017, 14:21:44 PM

There is only one turkey posting on here.
At the risk of repeating myself, everywhere in the world is changing. From what I have seen of other places, change here is much slower than elsewhere.
It is a bit ripe someone complaining of changes when they are part of the problem.
Anyone from outside that buys a property in Lajares or anywhere else contributes to the growth. Then they complain when it grows too much.
As I said before, isn't it great that we can all choose where to live.

Ivemovedon · December 31, 2017, 14:31:40 PM

True , just one turkey. So just because it's slower than elsewhere makes it so wonderful and acceptable. The fact you can enjoy it as it is but but those who follow you can't ?. Well look after number one matey. We are all part of the problem wherever we live, population explosion is going to do for us all in the end. No matter where you live, Lajares or London. My point is we don't all have to welcome it.

Banjo · December 31, 2017, 14:37:48 PM

It seems slightly hypocritical for somebody who has migrated to another country only to complain when other people decide they want to go there too.

The days of sailing somewhere remote, sticking a flag in the ground and claiming it as one's own ended centuries ago but the traits are still there. They'll be moaning that they're not allowed to rape and pillage any more next.

dagwood · December 31, 2017, 15:00:53 PM

Quote from: Banjo on December 31, 2017, 14:37:48 PM
It seems slightly hypocritical for somebody who has migrated to another country only to complain when other people decide they want to go there too.

The days of sailing somewhere remote, sticking a flag in the ground and claiming it as one's own ended centuries ago but the traits are still there. They'll be moaning that they're not allowed to rape and pillage any more next.

True but if I made that comment I`d be burned at the stake.
But still I have an image in my head of Ivemovedsomewhere with a pirates hat and a eyepatch sticking a flag pole with the Butchers Apron Proudly erect into the sand some where. Ah har me heartys
Aided and abetted by Woe10 and Viva.
Where`s me Prozac quick.

Ivemovedon · December 31, 2017, 15:08:38 PM

Never migrated there. still lived in grimy old London town. As I keep saying i went and occasionally still go there for it's laid back way of life..not what it is becoming.Can't change what's happening for sure and I'm well aware of it ,but it's a real shame that those coming in the future won't see it as it was. Maybe I am a hypocrite, I'm sure there's plenty on here will be pleased to think so but hey, i'm not thinking of myself...I had the island the way I wanted it. You can have it the way you want it from now on.

Not sure what all the rape and pillaging and flag sticking is about but I'm sure you know yourself.

Oh dagwood you are so right on... LOL.

dagwood · December 31, 2017, 15:25:45 PM

You are definitely no a hypocrite maybe sometimes misguided but you will stand up for what you believe in to the bitter end. Oh maybe I`m the hypocrite now.