Fifth Blues Festival for Corralejo, Fuerteventura

The Carnival in Corralejo is over and the streets are cleared so now its time for the annual Blues Festival to start.
The fifth festival will have three acts from the UK, two from America plus other acts from other countries. Based on previous years this is bound to be a great event and it takes place from the 19th to the 27th March 2010.

The main events will take place at the Auditorio Municipal de Corralejo with the first act being Larry Garner starting at 9-30 in the evening.

for more information click here

Fuerteventura, Canary Islands – Sun, sea, sand…..and conservation

In the past Fuerteventura had a reputation for being the poorest and the least developed of the Canary Islands but nowadays the guaranteed sunshine, the huge expanses of fine golden sand and turquoise sea have made it irresistible to tourists from Europe and, increasingly, further afield and tourism has become big business here.

However, for those prepared to venture outside the tourist resorts there is more to Fuerteventura that just sea, sand and sunshine.

Historically the islanders made their living from fishing, goat-herding and local crafts but, with the increase in tourism, there has been a dramatic increase in demand for skin care products from those visiting the island for the year round sunshine. As a result the Aloe Vera plant has become one of Fuerteventura’s most important products due to its moisturising and healing properties. Aloe farms can now be found all over the island and factories have been built producing skin-care creams and sun tan lotions which are not only sold locally but also exported overseas.

Additionally a number of conservation projects have been set up on Fuerteventura. One of these projects is aimed at protecting the endangered Mediterranean monk seal by re-introducing it to the neighbouring island of Los Lobos, just off Corralejo in the far north of the island.

In the south of Fuerteventura is the town of Morro Jable which, as well as being a resort area, is now also the home of the Sodabe Turtle Reserve where loggerhead turtles are being reintroduced after an absence of over 100 years. The turtles are being transported from Cape Verde and hatched on a beach on Fuerteventura’s west coast at Cofete. From there the baby turtles are placed in “nursery” tanks until they are large enough to be released in the sea. The hope is that when the females reach maturity (after 10 years) they will return to Cofete to lay their eggs, ensuring the ongoing presence of these turtles on Fuerteventura.

Another important development for the island was when UNESCO declared the island a Biosphere Reserve in May 2009. This will ensure that the almost completely untouched west coast, the interior of the island with its pretty towns and villages, and a large part of Jandia in the south will be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations of residents and visitors to Fuerteventura.

The increase in tourism also means an increase in the importance of water sports here in Fuerteventura and these are among the best in the Canary Islands. There is a stark difference to the seas on the east and west of the island. To the east the sea is nearly always calm and the winds tend to be constant and reliable, perfect for windsurfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts. The Sotavento lagoon and beaches are hosts to annual World Tour events in the last 2 weeks of July.

The western coast of Fuerteventura is wilder and for the most part unsafe for all but the most experienced swimmers and divers. However there are a handful of surfing beaches, especially around El Cotillo in the north-west. There is also exotic marine life with excellent visibility and underwater caves and grottos as is typical in submerged volcanoes.

Many tourist guide books will lead you to believe that the beautiful golden sand on more than 150 beaches scattered around the island was blown here from the Sahara desert. However, the sand on Fuerteventura is actually completely natural and the sand dunes of Corralejo are a major attraction of the island. The dune area was declared a Natural Park in the 1980’s and apart from the two Riu hotels already standing on the beach no further building is allowed, ensuring the protection of the dunes for the future. Additionally a new road is currently under construction to divert traffic around, rather than through, the sand dunes. It is hoped that work on the new road (which will run from La Caldereta to Corralejo) will be completed by December 2011, helping to preserve the beauty of the Natural Park.

There are many reasons for visitors to Fuerteventura to leave their hotels, leave their resorts and explore all this wonderful island has to offer.

New Marina Contract In Corralejo, Fuerteventura Awarded

The contract for the extention and improvement to Corralejo harbour has been awarded and is expected to take two years to complete. The project will improve and extend the ferry piers, increase the number of moorings for pleasure craft and provide better boat yard facilities.

As well as the existing marina berths the new marina will provide 650 berths for yachts which will be sheltered behind a huge curved breakwater. The contract has been awarded to Viatrio Ingenieros SL and will cost nearly €343 million .

Corralejo harbour on the north coast of Fuerteventura is one of the busiest in the Canaries with close to a million passengers a year using the short ferry link to Lanzarote and the project will ensure that increasing passenger demand can be met. The harbour Playa Blanca in Lanzarote will also be extended and improved to allow easier access for the ferries whose entrance at the moment can only be described as tight.

The two projects will strengthen the ties between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Politicians on both islands have wanted for a long time to form a new "Canarian power" as strong as the link between Gran Canaria and Tenerife and these two project will move that dream forward.

The marina project will also provide a new esplande and integrate the area with the surrounding frontline properties and businesses. The marina project is sure to create an interest in property in close to the new harbour scheme.

Ferry Operator contacts Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas

For more information on Canarian Marinas visit www.worldmarineguide.com

European and Spanish Hotspots back in Vogue for British Real Estate Buyers Rather than far flung destinations

GoldAcre Estates the Canary Islands and Greece specialists stated that they have started to see a significant increase in enquiries from the internet, with the Greece business seeing an increase in the numbers particularly in Crete.

This seems to be to be a trend that seems to be supported by a recent report by Global Edge and Savills International via the Global Edge website GlobalEdge.co.uk

The Canary Islands has long since been a favorite with the British and European buyer famed for its mild winter climate and laid back lifestyle, recent economic factors and adjustments in prices in Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria have been a factor in their return to favour, but according to a survey of 1200 second home owners by Savills International British overseas home buyers are reverting back to more traditional second home destinations,.During the overseas property boom, the proportion of Brits buying outside of Western Europe grew significantly as buyers became motivated by the potential for capital gains. However, since the market turned in September 2008, buyers have returned to the traditional favourites of Spain, France, Portugal and Italy.“In 2010, the overseas second home market will be characterised by cash-rich, lifestyle buyers benefiting from lower prices in traditional, established holiday home hotspots.” Says Charles Weston-Baker, Head of Savills International.The survey data also confirms that 2009 was one of the worst years for the industry. 70% of respondents invested in overseas property between 2003 and 2008 but just 2% had in 2009.Rebecca Gill, research analyst at Savills International comments. “Whilst UK overseas home ownership has doubled since 2001 recent global recessionary trends have seen take-up levels dramatically slow. Factors such as fewer overseas holidays, reduced leisure spend capacity and financing availability, unfavourable exchange rates and declining house prices have impacted second home purchasing activity.”
20 % Of existing owners plan more purchases
The positive news is that a fifth of respondents said they are considering or planning additional holiday home purchases in the future. The top ten destinations being considered were France, Spain, Portugal, the US, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, Brazil and Turkey.However, further property price falls, better mortgage availability and a strengthening of sterling against the Euro are all necessary conditions before we see the market return to anywhere near the transaction volumes of 2007.

Air Europa To Begin Flights To Spain And Tenerife From Miami

Spanish carrier Air Europa has announced it will begin nonstop service from Madrid to Miami International on March 19th, 2010, and also will renew nonstop service to Tenerife, Canary Islands, starting on June 19th, 2010.

The Canary Islands have a comprehensive inter island flight service between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma and these new flights will be a great boost to the Canarian population requiring international connections.

Air Europa will operate four weekly flights to Madrid and one weekly flight to Tenerife using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The airline first began operating at Miami International on June 20th, 2009, with just a seasonal service to Tenerife.

Residents and property owners on the islands are now benefitting from a host of new flights that have begun to serve the islands in recent months. This will also help the American tourism to the islands

More Visitors to Canary Islands

The number of tourists visiting Spain this January has increased compared to last year new statistics show. For the first time in 18 months tourist numbers rose by 1.1% to 2.54 million, not a huge rise but certainly good news especially for the Canary Islands which accounts for over 795,000 of visits making the Islands the most popular destination in Spain. In fact although the mainland has experienced small declines in both British and German numbers, some of the Islands have seen some increases, particularly in the numbers visiting from the mainland itself. While all inclusive hotels are as popular as ever the increase of second home owners especially in Fuerteventura – a developing property market – now offers visitors more private, homely accommodation and the possibility of booking directly with owners instead of tour operators.

An increase in the number of cheaper flights from Europe as well as the favoured weather during the winter months are prime reasons for the healthier statistics as Northern Europeans have escaped the freak cold conditions at home by flying a few hours further South. On average day time temperatures this time of year for Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are above 20 degrees. New flights also bring new markets with noticeable numbers of Scandinavian visitors to Fuerteventura this winter.

For more information on local weather conditions and flights you can visit the ‘more’ section at www.goldacre-estates.com or search online for properties for sale in Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, El Cotillo, Gran Tarajal and the villages of Fuerteventura.