Lanzarote tourism group scrambles to repair ties with British holidaymakers

Tourism groups in Lanzarote are busy repairing ties with British vacationers and have distanced themselves from the island’s president after he called tourists “upper class”.

Lanzarote’s Tourist Federation (FTL) reiterated today that the island has a “very strong bond” with British tourists and will continue to be “absolutely kind” to them.

FTL Statement Comes After Lanzarote President Dolores Corho last week claimed the island was saturated with British tourists Instead, they wanted to cater to more “quality” travelers from mainland Europe.

The tourism board asked Mr Korho to “clarify the situation” and met with UK market representatives to ensure that “our island is open to visitors from all parts of the world”. I have said it repeatedly.

FTL insisted that all tourists are welcome on the island, and reiterated that Lanzarote offers experiences for all budgets and nationalities, including Britons.

“We have always had a very strong relationship with the UK market and this has strengthened our relationship in a way that demonstrates a high level of fidelity with the island,” FTL wrote. press releasetoday translated from Spanish.

“Lanzarote is, and will continue to be, a very welcoming island for British tourists, which is why we underscore its importance in the tourism and economic sectors of the island.”

The tourism association also pointed out how Mr Korjo’s remarks provoked a negative reaction from the British press and tourism operators.

Officials called on the president to rectify the situation by “precisely detailing the concept of higher quality tourism.”

Lanzarote’s statement came after the CEO of British tour operator Jet2 said the island’s tourism industry aims to become less dependent on Britons and prioritize “higher quality holidaymakers”. ‘s president for clarification on what he called “inflammatory and offensive” remarks.

Airline boss Steve Heapy sent a letter to Ms. Korjo clarifying her statement and asking if she would like tourists from the UK to come to the Canary Islands.

Mr Heapy said travel weekly“As the UK’s largest tour operator to Lanzarote, I have contacted her to seek an explanation for her inflammatory and frankly offensive comments towards British tourists.”

He added that he would like to know “what she means and how much she wants to reduce UK tourism.”

This follows on from Corho’s comments last week. Lanzarote claimed to be saturated with British tourists Instead, the island wanted to cater to more “quality” travelers from mainland Europe.

Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy is said to have sent a letter to Lanzarote president Dolores Corujo asking him to clarify her comments.

Speaking in Berlin earlier this month, Corho said Lanzarote does not need to rely on large numbers of British tourists, but instead aims to attract more expensive travelers from Germany, the Netherlands and France. Told.

Heapy said the president’s comments “made the hotelier community ask the same question.”

The Jet2 boss also added that he has “extreme concerns” after the president. vowed to keep the island away from British holidaymakers Her remarks “have a very detrimental effect on British tourists” who choose to spend their holidays on the island. Canarian Weekly report. We’ve reached out to Jet2 for comment.

Jet2 is the UK’s largest holiday tour operator. The company sends about 625,000 tourists to Lanzarote each year.

Heapy said there are many dangers now looming for the company and the tourism industry. Canarian Weekly report. Corho said Jet2 has invested heavily in Lanzarote, even though it has shifted the island’s future tourism strategy to keep it away from Britons.

The company has signed 111 hotels, 46 villas and 8 resorts across Lanzarote, playing a vital role in the island’s economy.

Last week, Korjo told German tourism representatives that their market was in line with her intention to bring “higher quality” tourism to the island.

she said: from mass tourism.

Korjo is reorienting the island’s future tourism strategy to keep British vacationers away

Korjo said they are instead trying to attract high-spending vacationers from Germany, the Netherlands and France.

Mr Korjo’s statement denouncing British vacationers was later published in the British press.

Heapy said he was “extremely concerned about the articles that appeared in the UK’s leading print and online newspapers this weekend.”

“It will have a very detrimental effect on British tourists who are choosing Lanzarote for their holidays this year,” he said.

For months, Ms Corjo appeared to warn British travelers. wanted a new approach to

She claimed that profile changes resulted in fewer visitors “spending more at their destination.”

Lanzarote Tourism Information It shows that Britons spend an average of €34.94 a day on the island. This number is higher than most foreign tourists.

In addition, about half of the tourists visiting the island are British. A total of 1.3 million Britons visited Lanzarote in 2019.

This is four times Germany’s 309,000, Ireland’s 285,000 and France’s total of 115,000.

Lanzarote is doing everything in its power to ‘saturate’ the island from too many tourists and reduce its dependence on British tourists.

Lanzarote’s president, Maria Dolores Corho (pictured second from right), pioneered a new approach to attracting visitors from mainland Europe rather than Britons.

Nonetheless, Korho has anchored the island’s future tourism strategy to one of “diversification to reduce reliance on the British market”, and what she argues is that more “upscale” vacationers claims to welcome

Lanzarote’s tourism federation has also distanced itself from Corjo’s remarks.

spokesperson said travel weekly It was hoped that Mr Korjo would “hold the necessary meetings with representatives of the UK market” to explain her comments and reassure them.

“We have always had a very strong relationship with the UK market. Lanzarote is and will continue to be a thoroughly hospitable island for UK tourists,” the spokesperson added.

MailOnline has reached out to Lanzarote’s Tourism Federation for comment.