Growth Slowing?
February tourist arrivals increased by just 0.8% versus last year. That compares to a 12.5% increase in 2024 and a 25.9% increase in 2023, suggesting the rate of growth of tourism may be finally slowing. A similar picture has been reported on other islands. A total of 705,000 passengers transited through the airport during the month.
Strong Economic Indicators
2024 closed out with plenty of good news for the Canary Island’s economy. GDP grew by 4%, compared to 3.2% for Spain as a whole, and 0.7% for the Eurozone. Average household income in the islands rose to 34,819 €, an increase of over 11%, and unemployment fell by 11.9%.
EU Citizens Will Need ETA Visa Waiver For UK From 2nd April
EU citizens visiting the UK from 2nd April onwards will need their new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) visa waiver. The ETA costs £10 and can be applied for online at the UK government website, or by using the “UK ETA” app, which is available for iOS and Android.
Court Moving Towards Eviction For Squatters In Costa Teguise Skeleton
A court in Arrecife has ordered the squatters staying in the skeleton building at plot 214 in Costa Teguise to appear before it so that the judicial situation can be explained to them, with a view to confirming the demolition order, which was originally issued in 2005. They have until 15th March to do so. An Arrecife based construction company has planning permission to build a villa based hotel on the plot, and is seeking an eviction notice on the people living there.
Mayor Of San Antonio, Texas, Visits Lanzarote For Twinning
The mayor of San Antonio Texas, Ron Nirenberg, is on an official visit to the island this week. He took part in a ceremony with Cabildo President Oswaldo Betancort to celebrate the twinning of Lanzarote and San Antonio. The city of San Antonio was founded by families from Lanzarote in 1731.
Los Hervideros Road Project Finalised
The project to repair and re-open the road between El Golfo and Los Hervideros has been presented by The Cabildo. As well as the point of collapse, a further 6 points of dangerous erosion have been found, and the new project will address them all at a cost of around 7 million €. The project is awaiting a formal sign off from the college of engineers, and will then go to tender, with work expected to start before the end of the year.
Two Awards For Island Restaurants
In this year’s Que Bueno awards, two Lanzarote restaurants took awards – SeBe in Costa Teguise in Special Recognition to the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, and Brisa Marina in Playa Blanca for Best Canarian Reflection Cuisine.
Total Moon Eclipse Expected 14th March
The total eclipse of the moon on 14th March will be easily viewed from The Canaries, but you’ll have to get up early! The peak of the eclipse will be at 06:58. A partial eclipse will also occur on 29th March at 10:40.
Tribute To The Barber Of Haria
A staute was unveiled at the weekend in Haria a tribute to Ladislao Rodríguez Bonilla, affectionately known as “El Mudo de Haría.” Several senior government officials, including The President of The Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort attended the unveiling of the statue, which is near the town aljibe and on the route Ladislao walked every day from his home to his barber shop. The bronze, by Rigoberto Camacho, depicts Ladislao leaning over his barber chair in a typical pose.
Wind Trees Installed In Playa Honda
Wind trees have been installed in the new Urban Park in Playda Honda. The trees generate electricity for the electric car chargers in the park’s car park.
New Tender For Dive Centre At Playa Chica
The project for a dive centre in Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen has been resurrected and will be put out to tender this week. The budget is over 1 million € and will cover an area of 988 square metres, giving divers lockers for their clothing, showers and toilets, in one of the busiest dive locations on the island. Assuming the tender is awarded this summer, work should be completed in early 2026.
Landslides Close LZ10
The LZ10 Malpasso Way in Haria was closed on Saturday after a landslide, caused by wind and rain, dropped rocks onto the road. It was re-opend the same day after a clear up operation.
Storm Jana Brings More Rain And Strong Winds
Storm Jana resulted in heavy rain in parts of the island over the weekend, as well as very strong gusts of wind. The storm is gradually moving away from the islands, and the yellow warning for big waves will be rescinded on Monday afternoon.
We’ll add more news here as it comes in……
Do you love Lanzarote?
The best way to stay in touch with all the Lanzarote news is by subscribing to our famous weekly Lanzarote newsletter, which we’ve been sending out by email every Friday morning since 2008. It’s packed with all the news, latest articles, upcoming events, photos and a video which we shoot fresh from somewhere on the island.
