A POPULAR Spanish holiday hotspot is calling for less British holidaymakers in a major tourism shake up.
Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, wants less holidaymakers from the UK flocking to its shores.
As part of a new tourism strategy, Lanzarote plans to declare itself a "tourist-saturated area," and will look to welcome fewer tourists who have greater spending power.
More than half of all holidaymakers arriving in Lanzarote come from the UK, but the island's council wants to reduce their dependence on Brits.
Plans are instead underfoot to attract guests from France, Italy, the Netherlands and mainland Spain.
President of the Lanzarote Council, Dolores Corujo, said they're aiming to receive fewer tourists, "with greater spending in the destination so that they generate greater wealth in the economy as a whole."
Read More on Spanish Holidays
Spain holiday boost as major airport hand luggage rule is set to be scrapped
Spain lifts ALL remaining Covid restrictions for holidaymakers
As more than half of the island's visitors come from the United Kingdom, it would be necessary to adopt "a diversification strategy to reduce dependence on the British market."
A statement on the council's website also confirmed the planned changes to its tourism strategy.
It read: "In Madrid, we once again highlighted our firm commitment to sustainability and excellence, and this also means aspiring to receive fewer tourists, with more spending at the destination so that they generate greater wealth in the economy as a whole…
"…That growth is expected in French, Italian, Netherlands or mainland Spain markets and we hope that it will continue to have a direct impact on the increase in tourist spending in the destination."
Most read in News Travel
Major passport warning as prices to increase from TODAY
The best airport Wetherspoons pubs in the UK ranked – and No1 ISN’T Heathrow
The free drink you should never choose on a plane, according to flight crew
The free trick to avoid booking the worst seat on the plane
A key part of this plan will be for "fewer beds, of higher quality."
Massive amounts of investment will be needed to attract tourists with more spending power, which would include upgrading hotels and beaches.
Meanwhile, Spain is set to scrap its final Covid restrictions next week, in what will be a boost for Brits heading to the country this summer.
The country's Health Minister, Carolina Darias, plans to scrap mask-wearing on buses, trains and other forms of transportation.
Source: Read Full Article