From luxury travellers to second home owners to golfers, everyone’s headed to Tenerife this winter
- Tenerife property enquiries jump more than 1000% in less than a decade (Kyero)
- Tenerife makes top 10 list of global winter sun destinations (TripAdvisor)
- Visitor numbers up 4.7% to June 2014 (HVS)
The most popular of the Canary Islands, Tenerife has a great deal going for it. Stunning beaches and gently rolling aquamarine waves tempt many tourists to do little more than lie around enjoying the subtropical climate while they are there, but for those who do get off their sunbeds, the island is packed with stunning natural parkland, plentiful cultural attractions, a wide range of sporting options (both on land and on the water) and restaurants serving rich yet healthy Mediterranean cuisine.
As with many locations where tourism plays a key part in the economy, Tenerife suffered as a result of the global recession, but now the sun-dappled island has turned a corner, accounting for 65% of total visitors arriving to the Canary Islands during 2013, according to the just-published HVS In Focus report on Tenerife.
The report reveals that 2013 finally saw visitor numbers to Tenerife increase, indicating that the effects of the financial crisis have finally been left behind. Early indicators are that 2014 will show a further increase, with visitor numbers in the year to June 2014 up 4.7% on the same period a year earlier.
Visitors from the UK lead those travelling to Tenerife, making up 31.8% of the total during 2013, based on the HVS report. The winter months of October, November, February and March tend to be the strongest periods of the year, with visitors from colder countries enjoying the winter sun. The island’s Playa de las Americas resort has this year been revealed as the sixth most popular winter break destination with Britons travelling internationally by TripAdvisor.
Interestingly, while Tenerife’s overall tourism sector suffered, its luxury hotels reported a steady increase in number of arrivals (other than a slight decline in 2009). The island’s property sector has also shown a steady increase, with Spain’s leading property portal, Kyero, which lists over 175,000 properties from 2,500 estate agents, registering a steady increase in enquiries since 2006. The increase has been so steep that 2014 has already seen more than 10 times the number of enquiries that were received in 2006.
Martin Dell, Kyero’s Director, comments,
“Tenerife has seen a sharp increase in the number of those looking to buy second homes there over the past decade. British buyers seeking a holiday retreat in the sun are becoming increasingly aware of Tenerife’s delights, particularly as a winter sun destination. The combination of the high quality accommodation, relaxed lifestyle and fantastic weather on the island are perfect for attracting second home owners.
“We have found that properties in the €50k to €100k price band are by far the most popular, attracting 39% of overall enquiries. Properties costing between €100k and €150k draw in 19% of enquiries and those costing €150k to €200k attract 16%. Apartments are the preferred type of accommodation, capturing 63% of overall enquiries.”
The Kyero.com figures reveal that not only are Tenerife properties popular with Brits, but also with Italian buyers. In fact, demand from Italians looking to own second homes on Tenerife was such that Kyero.com launched a dedicated Italian version of its site back in 2008, which has proven extremely popular.
Tenerife’s excellent value for money also plays a part in its popularity. The average property price there was €224,000 according to Kyero.com’s October 2014 Spanish House Price Index, compared with a national average price of €260,000.
Tenerife’s nine golf courses are particularly popular with British visitors and this thriving industry further adds to the island’s charms. It is making a name for itself in the golfing world; so much so, in fact, that the International Golf Travel Market has appointed Tenerife as the venue for its 2015 event, which attracts golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media from around the world. Based on the figures from Kyero.com, it seems that some of those who attend may just end up buying more than golf clubs, as Tenerife woos them into purchasing their dream overseas property.
For more information and to keep up to date with the latest in Spanish property trends, visit www.kyero.com.