Fuerteonline - The Fuerteventura Portal

Spending by non-Spanish tourists in the Canaries may have fallen in recent times but holidaymakers continue to contribute a staggering amount to the regionrsquo;s economy. Figures published by the Spanish Ministry of Tourism show that visitors holidaying here during the first half of this year spent a total of euro;4.3 billion, an average of euro;96 per person per day. The figure, which amounts to a fifth of all foreign tourist spending in Spain overall, is 2.2 per cent down on the same period last year, although the news for the Canaries was not all negative. The hotel and apartment occupancy rate (65 per cent) was a full twelve points higher here than in the rest of the country. The month of June alone brought euro;534 million in spending by visitors from abroad.

The new Canarian police force is barely a month old and is already experiencing rumblings of discontent within its ranks. Long hours are the main concern of the discontentment .The union says the deployment was ill-prepared and senior officers are, ldquo;making it up as they go alongrdquo;. The eagerness to get the force of the ground has been the chief problem to the lack of planning.

The government met this week to discuss ways of improving care for the elderly on the island. Senior citizens in a situation of lack of dependence are their main concern. At the present time there are no facilities for elderly care and this often cause distress in the ex Pat community.

The Kayak tour Fuerteventura starts Saturday 28th August. Route Stages The format of the Tour of Fuerteventura kayak that consists of 8 days is divided into 15 stages, making a journey of 330 km around the coast of Fuerteventura.The Island Sailing Centre will be the point of departure of the expedition on Saturday August 28 and return on September 4. First Day. Saturday August 28 Nautical School in Puerto del Rosario at 10.00 hours. Second 2nd day. Sunday August 29 Corralejo -- Los Molinos / El Cotillo Third 3rd day Monday August 30 Black Beaches Ajuy Fourth 4th day. Tuesday August 31 (Single phase) Arrival. Morro Potala Fifth 5th day. Wednesday September 1 Morro Jable 6th sixth day. Thursday September 2 Gran Tarajal Seventh-day Friday September 3 Pozo Negro Eighth 8th day. Saturday, 4 September Pozo Negro - Caleta de Fuste - Puerto del Rosario Arrival back at Puerto del Rosario. 18.00 Welcome Reception

Grandes Playas de Corralejo, La Oliva, Fuerteventura, held a very emotional ceremony last week to remember little Federico, the Italian boy who died last week after being buried in the sand when he played and ultimately died after four days in a coma. Waterfront Hotel Oliva Beach and a small group of friends wanted to remember the small boy and received a message from the family saying the rescue work has not been in vain. Flowers and beach balls marked the ceremony as people joined hands along the beach. The work of the rescue teams involved were highly praised by the family.

Two licenses have been granted for a Casino by the Canarian government. One is to be housed in Corralejo and the other in Pajara. The ruling is being challenged to also include the Antigua region. A decision on that has not yet been made.

The Tui group celebrated its 40th anniversary for world wide travel on the island of Fuerteventura last week. It was held at the Robinson club Jandia Playa. The president of the Cabildo and the tourism minister were present at the celebrations.

A swiss national television programme called ldquo;super singlerdquo; has chosen the island saying, the outstanding natural scenery is an ideal setting for the filming. This follows previous filming in Thailand and the Dominican Republic. The main setting for the film will be in Costa Calma although further shooting is expected around the island.

This weekend in El Cotillo sees a special programme for young people. Throughout Saturday night and well into Sunday morning there are many activities at the new harbour. Most of the entertainment is free.

Despite all past problems it appears that airline have chosen the island for their main publicity advertising. Photographs of the beaches etc are to be displayed in their national advertising. Not sure what happens if they then fall out with us again!