Well Im back to grey miserable England now after another great January holiday in the Canaries and for us there really is nowhere like Lanzarote and speaking honestly it was by far and away the busiest January we have ever seen, from walking Old Town down to Playa Honda the bars all had plenty of people in, many more than previous years and we've never seen the seafront as busy either, all the restaurants we went in were also fairly or very busy in contrast to previous January's when we've seen empty bars and restaurants. I think personally the new Ryanair base at Arrecife has completely revived the tourism on the island, we flew with them and yes there are better airlines but not cheaper ones and they are bringing people in every week that would not otherwise come at all. We stayed in the Old Town area as we find it warmer and hotter as it's less windy and more sheltered. We found the best Restaurant all week to be Montmatre near the Bisofera shopping centre, it's a genuine French restaurant that doesnt look much from the outside but the food is superb and the owner a Parisian chap is very welcoming, you can eat here a 3 course meal for 15.90 Euro that would cost 3 times as much in the UK, I cannot recommend the place highly enough, we also went to El Ancla and Puerto Vieja in the harbour, both good food and service, these are the only 2 places as well that do not try to drag you in by your collar for a meal and that is another plus, it really does put off being constantly harassed to eat in a particular place and as charming and polite they are it would be better to let people make their own minds up without the pressure. Also a highly recommended one is Bodeco now called Bozena Irish Polish owned, was packed every night we passed and that's because it's top quality food, atmosphere and overall a lovely restaurant and at 50 Euro a couple with wine and free drink afterwards was the most expensive meal out all week yet still good value. The great thing about Puerto Del Carmen is that overall the quality and service of places is very good and friendly wherever you go, admittedly we prefer the old town for the Irish pubs Paddy's is the best then Craic and Ceol. To all the people that talk the island down on this forum, please stop it. it is a magnificent place and we will keep coming like the thousands and thousands of regulars do and new visitors and if you want to start a new life and business then have a go and do it, Lanzarote will always be ok and you can have either a wonderful holiday there or indeed life and that's after speaking to the residents and business owners themselves, we Brits have become frightened of our own shadows in this time of doom and gloom but there is nothing to fear other than not been able to get to Lanzarote at all so enjoy it

Live there, as stated earlier in the forum it is all not goodness and light!

Yes, lanza is a beautiful Island, Yes, there are fantastic restaurants not just in PdC, fantastic sights, great people
.
But look at figures: This HAS been the busiest year for passengers since 2007, but not all this is attributed to Ryanair. Look at Easyjet, Airberlin etc.

Also ask the many locals and ex-pats who still can't get a job. Spain which includes Canaries is struggling to avoid bankrupcy. Yes, I truly hope Lanzarote will regain its status, but with any other country it will be a slow and painful process.

I will never talk Lanzarote down, been visiting since 1989 and lived there for 2 years but ASK PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE THAT WILL TELL THE TRUTH, it is and will be a struggle, but IT WILL GET BETTER!

Yes I agree it's not all down to Ryanair, there are others but you never hear anyone giving OLeary the credit he and his airline are due for opening up a base at Arrecife, only the complaining moaners that are forever being critical. I stood down there last week and a significant number of Ryanair's were landing bringing in thousands of people that would not otherwise be able to accesss the Island. I accept alot of people are struggling but I found everyone I came across had a smile on their face and seemed reasonably happy if not making money at least enough to live on, survive and enjoy a better quality of life which is more than you can say for the UK

You also seem to hear alot about O'leary stamoing his feet, throwing his toys out of the pram when he doesn't get his way.

Look at Girona, passenger figures down 50.5% because the airline didn't fulfil its contract and was asked for landing fee's. Ryanair walked away. They are now "discussing" at another 5 airports to "re-negotiate" contracts............

While I admit Ryanair have fetched people to the Island they can do this and push other airlines out. Then they demand more concessions which cost the airport and the government lots of cash. If they don't get it, they walk away leaving the airport with less services than before. Very distructive for a Lanzarote that is turning around.

Also look at certain airline network forums and you will see that all is not well with Ryanairs pilots, cabin crew and associate providers.

I can remember when flights to Lanzarote were on sundays and thursdays, now they are basically on a daily basis. Lets hope now that even Monarch will be down to 5 days a week from Manchester they don't cut further until certain airlines get them out then DEMAND what is best for them and not the Airport/Island/Region.

Then if not granted, leave the Airport/Island/Region stranded.

I am visiting in May, with Monarch, not even looked at Ryanair for prices. Would rather have terms and conditions applied to Monarch. At least I know I will get some help. Even, as people have said, even Monarch get delayed, I would rather take my chances with them.

The article on the BBC TV 6pm news was quite interesting. THe rise of Islamists in Egypt is not going to help the winter sun business there, which could benefit the Canary Islands. The peole in the rural heartland, such as around some of the historic sites, are advocating amputation and stoning for crimes, and some German toursits looked distinctly unimpressed. A riverside bar no longer dared serve alcohol because of threats, and even an English speaking young male teacher was advocating separate beaches for men and women. Apparently he represents the majority of the rural folk, who make up most of the population

That scenario seemed to work in the original tensions in that area, so here is hoping that Egypt's loss is Lanzarote's gain.

Even Mindanao seems safer than Egypt!
The Philippine government are pushing for tourists to visit, come on over.

He isnt doing it to be the saviour of Lanzarote, its for the gain of his company, nothing else. He couldnt give two hoots about Lanzarote or anywhere else he lands.
I know bar owners in Lanzarote that are just breaking even, and some losing money, and yes they have a smile on their face, but that is the hospitality industry, they have to smile and be nice to the customer no matter how they feel about money, personal life, or whatever. Im like that in my job, no matter how much of a bad time Im having for whatever reason, I have to grin and bare it, smile and be nice, even when I dont want too.
Until things have picked up significantly ( worldwide too ) , unless you have a fair bit of money behind you that you could afford to take a hit for a while, I certainly wouldnt be painting a rosey picture for people to give it a go to buy a bar, restaurant etc. Lets hope next year the tourism increases again and the people owning bars, restaurants can start making good money without just trying to live. We have been going now for 7 years and number wise it still isnt quite what it was then, which is a shame, but as well as that, there are far more all incs than there were when we first came.

Glad you had a good time, hoping to get back over ourselves soon.
Good news about there being more people there

Might finally give PDC a shot for New year this year.
Will see what we can arrange

Happy Holidays
Danny