Plenty of companies in Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands own and rent properties to holidaymakers from other countries. And the main nationals that visit the Canaries are Germans, Brits and Irish.

Now this seems like a very small section of the worlds varied countries. And there is a very simple reason for this. Only certain countries have direct flights to the Canary Islands; plus the runways are a little small for the bigger planes. Plus only a certain number of countries (named above) have advertising in place for these destinations.

It makes sense that the countries with access to direct flights should push these holiday destinations, but it would be great if other countries could advertise these vacations and maybe approach the airport about routes into the Islands.

There is plenty of room for more airlines and competition, plus the airport in Fuerteventura has been revamped, as a huge population was predicted for 2008, and hundreds of properties have been built in expectancy of this.

But it never happened. What did happen was the credit crunch hit airlines hard, the price they paid for gas suddenly went through the roof, and this expense was passed onto the traveller. This same crunch has affected everyone and holidays and vacations are now a secondary consideration.

This is so sad. I live in the Canary Islands and to see these place dying a death is horrible. Watching planes coming in half full, and tourist attractions just not attracting tourists is such a waste and a shame.

I understand that this is a global phenomenon, but I guess its a little more obvious somewhere as small as Fuerteventura that relies on tourism. Its they don’t come; the place is empty.

To see a place on its knees is a crying shame, and I feel for everyone around the world suffering a similar fate. It can be seen everywhere, but it’s crystallized in this local microcosm.

But the Islands, and Fuerteventura in particular, are great places to visit. They are safe and clean, and the prices out here are amazing. Property is dirt cheap to buy and rent, and the average meal for the family is probably 40% less than the USA.

Come and join me in the Canary Islands; it might be a little trickier to get here. But I promise you’ll have a ball.