The Last Minute Travel Fact Center

The Canary Islands have been attracting visitors to their glistening shores for many years. It’s hard to see why anyone wouldn’t want to visit these perfect packages of paradise. Yet, even these holiday gems have been suffering in the tough economic climate. Throughout 2009, falling visitor numbers have been continually reported and as the crowds disappear the islands have seized this opportunity to undergo a refresh. It is hoped that this will encourage more tourists and stimulate the various local economies again. In the meantime, holiday-makers who want to take advantage of fewer crowds and cheap Canaries hotels would be advised to do so now.

The number of tourists visiting the Canary Islands, which include the popular Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, dropped by around 15% in the first five months of 2009 when compared with the same time the previous year, according to a recent report by the BBC. A difficult combination of a weakening pound against the euro and the collapse of major airlines and tour operators servicing the islands has been blamed for the problems.

The islands have not been sitting idly back, though. Local authorities are taking decisive action in the form of public investment of up to 120 million euros over the next four years to give the islands a ‘facelift’. They are not alone in their action, either. Private hotels are using the quiet period as an opportunity to renovate. This form of reinvention has been identified as one way to combat the recent troubles and help restore the Canaries to the top of the holiday charts.

Future tourists will be able to reap the benefits of these measures. For now, tourists can enjoy great deals on Canaries hotels that are as low as £15 per person per night in Playa De Las Americas, Tenerife – and enjoy a quieter holiday experience at the same time.