Puerto del Carmen – the hub of both the Lanzarote Property and tourist markets – is about to undergo a major face lift.  As island authorities press ahead with plans to “reinvent” tourism in the resort in a bid to maintain its competitiveness versus other, newer, holiday destinations.

 Package tourism on Lanzarote first took off in and around Puerto del Carmen – transforming what was formerly a small fishing village called La Tiñosa into the most popular resort on the island.

 But three decades of tourism have extracted a price in terms of eroding the resorts infrastructure.  Leaving Puerto del Carmen looking decidedly tired around the edges and out of date by comparison with newer, purpose built destinations in competitor markets such as Dubai.  A situation compounded by the poor provision for pedestrians on the main beachfront strip, the Avenuida de las Playas and the garish kaleidoscope of neon signage announcing bars, shops and restaurants.

 Mindful of the adverse impact that this could have on visitor numbers island authorities are now progressing a number of initiatives that together are designed to contemporise Puerto del Carmen and improve the overall tourist offering in the resort.

 Central to these plans is the creation of a new marina in the Old Town Harbour area.  Where work is already underway and is expected to be completed by May 2009.  With plans in place for the creation of jetties and berths for luxury yachts and cruisers.  A move designed to capitalise on the success of the nearby marina at Puerto Calero and which many local estate agents expect to impact positively on property values in the area over time – regardless of current market conditions.

 Elsewhere, other initiatives include the part pedestrianisation of the Avenida de las Playas to redress the current imbalance between cars and pedestrians. And the harmonisation of shop fronts and fascias along the strip in order to improve the aesthetic image of the resort.

 In tandem with the opening of the new golf course on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen it is hoped that this multi million euro project will secure the resorts ongoing viability as a popular holiday destination.  And help maintain its appeal with overseas buyers looking to invest in an apartment or holiday villa in Lanzarote.