News from Fuerteventura.
October 28th
New emergency vehicles
The La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Caza, Seguridad y Emergencias, is to get new emergency vehicles including a fire engine and a fleet of ambulances in measures to improve the equipment of the emergency services that deal with the central zone and north of Fuerteventura.
Avenida Juan de Betencourt repairs
The Avenida Juan de Betencourt in Puerto del Rosario is to have improvements to the decorative plant areas including a new irrigation system. After this the road will given a new layer of tarmac.The Fuerteventura tourist board reports sucess at Feria Suiza de Montreaux.
Members of the tourist board of Fuerteventura, visited the city of Montreaux, in Switzerland, to attend the Fair Travel Trade Workshop, on the 26th and 27th of September. The prestigious event is aimed at professionals in the tourism industry. The representatives of the island majorera who attended deemed themselves sucessful in presenting a positive image of holidays in Fuerteventura at the fair.
Fuerteventura was promoted as part of Turespaña, along with Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the only three islands from the Canarian archipelago to attend. Other Spanish secotrs that participated were Andalusia, the Balearic islands and Valencia and a few other Spanish businesses relating to the tourist sector.
According to the counselor of Tourism, each time they visit the fair the image they present of Fuerteventura becomes more positive. Visitors to the fair particularly impressed by the image of the new hotel complex being built in Las Playitas, and others that will be complete in the next few weeks.
180 tons of Iron
More than 180 tons of iron will be recovered when the 300 abandoned vehicles which have been collected from La Oliva are crushed.Initially, they empty the vehicles of batteries, oil and fuels then lift them by crane into the crusher. This work is important as the abandoned cars spoil the environment both aesthetically eventually cause environmental contamination.
October 27th
Cars crushed
A car crusher has been set up near to the Casa del Coronel, in La Oliva, to get rid of over 300 abandoned cars, collected from around the municipality. From 1pm on Friday 28th October, work will begin to remove the batteries and any remaining fuel and then the bodywork will be crushed and sent foundries in Spain, mainly Bilbao. The work is expected to take two weeks.
October 26th
It's Arrived
Fuller Smith & Turner London Pride Premium Ale is now available in the Canary Islands. 500ml cans can be purchased via our newest sponsor. For more details see the Fullers Canary S.L. page
Restoration Works
The presidente del Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Mario Cabrera, and the presidente de la Caja Rural de Canarias, Lucas de Saá have signed a contract where the latter will provide 7.000 euro for restoration to two artistic works that form part of the religious and cultural heritage of Fuerteventura.
Lucas of Saá explained that to invest in this is the best way to leave a legacy to the next generations, so that they value the history of their town. The works to be restored are the picture of the Christ hanging in the Chapel of San Roque, in Casillas de Morales (Antigua). The artist is unknown, but the style is Baroque, in a similar style to Hernández Quintana, a famous Canarian artist. Also to be restored is the sculpture of de la Virgen del Carmen, in the chapel of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Giniginamar (Tuineje). The sculpture currently has cracks and other damage.
Tourist Promotion
Beginning in November there will be a promotion of Fuerteventura as a holiday destination in Germany, United Kingdom and Ireland. The campaign is the first measure that the Department of Industry, Tourism and Commerce will carry out in order to project a more modern image of Fuerteventura. Between 250.000 and 300.000 euro has been set aside by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Commerce to promote the island abroad.
The recovery of the German market is one of the main priorities. For that reason Germany will receive more promotion, with the publicion of an eight page report in one of the most prestigious magazines in Germany. There will be a large newspaper campagn and a 30 minute documentary, which should be seen by around a million viewers.
Around 60 travel agents will be invited here with the aim of having them promote an extension ofthe holiday period into the months of January, February and March.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland the image of Fuerteventura as a tourist destination will be advertised heavily during the month of November.
October 25th
Mysterious packages
Holiday makers have been surprised recently by large packages appearing in various places on the island. They all have the same shape and these two were found in Morro Jable and La Lajita. A sneaky peek inside the packaging shows them to have computer keyboards.
Improvements to footpaths
La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Caza, Seguridad y Emergencias of the Cabildo have set up a series of meetings this week with the aim of improving the network of footpaths on the island. Thy will, over two days, discuss problems witht he old paths and consider establishing new ones.
New Guaguas!
The Cabildo and the bus company Tiadhe have signed a contract to purchase 6 new buses, at a cost of 1.209.000 euros, over the next three years. In the first eight months of the year, the business that carries out the service of inter-urban transportation of travelers in the island, Tiadhe, carried an increase in passengers of 30,000 per month. This brings the total per month up to 180.000, and by the end of the year they expect to have carried 2,000,000 passengers over the year, due to the increase in the numbers of people populating Fuerteventura. There will be a new bus station for Tiahde in Morro Jable, the new bus station in Puerto del Rosario will soon be completed and there are plans to improve the bus station in Corralejo. A section on the North-South motorway, which is designed to improve transportation has been opened. We used it yesterday and as well as knocking ten minutes off the journey time to Morro Jable it is also much safer as it is dual carrageway.
October 23rd
Cotillo Vivo 2005
Those attending Cotillo Vivo 2005 were treated to a fabulous sunset. The event began at five pm and went on until the early hours of the morning, being well attended by locals. Those who performed at the event came from a broad range of ethnic origins, but all lived in the municipality of La Oliva. The event appeared a great sucess and it is hoped that it will become an annual event. The photographs below show the local pop group Agrym performing to the crowd.
October 21st
Two fined for shellfishing
Two people could be fined 600 euro each after being caught catching 6.5kg of mussels and limpets. The two had previously been warned that catching these shellfish was prohibited. The Local police officers and Civil Guard, have intensified the campaign to fight against the poaching, there have been quite a few accusations.
October 20th
Increase in funding for Championships
The Cabildo has agreed to increase the funding for the next World Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championships. An extra 90.000 euro has been given bringing the total up to 184.000 euro. "The importance of the championship is not just the quality of the competition and its participants, but it serves as a platform to promote tourism on the island", said Mario Cabrera, el presidente del Cabildo de Fuerteventura.
Student swim
Three students who learned to swim in the Escuelas Municipales de Natación, Idatza Eulostondo (13 years), José Alberto Betancort (17 years) and Carmen Darias (13 years) have become the youngest simmers to do the la VII Travesía a Nado, the swim from Corralejo to Isla Lobos, which took place on Sunday, 16 of October. The Municipal School of Swimming is currently coaching 30 children, but 800 people in total, have learned to swim at the school.
October 19th
EL FESTIVAL COTILLO VIVO 2005
Around 150 artists, mainly musicians will take part in en Cotillo Vivo 2005 on October 22nd, which will take place at the plaza del pueblo, from 5pm until around one in the morning. the entertainment will be puppets, theater, percussion, sessions of DJ' s, reggae, rock and roll, samples of painting and sculpture, as well as a street market of craft. The festival is a multicultural encounter with artists originating from Argentina, Senegal, Uruguay, Germany, Italy and Great Britain, but now residing in La Oliva. It is hoped that this will become an annual event. For details see forthcoming events .
October 18th
Plan to develop tourism
El Concejal de Turismo del Ayuntamiento de Puerto del Rosario, José Lavandera, announced funding of 1.2 million euro for important tourism realted initiatives, as part of the Integral Plan of Quality of Spanish Tourism. The initiatives will be, the improvement of tourist guides, the creation of a tourist web page on the municipality, the promotion of arts, sports activities and of popular music for tourists and also work will begin to improve the look of the entrance to Puerto del Rosario.
Fimarsub ends
The collaboration of the Government of the Canaries, the Cabildo and the Department of tourism made Corralejo the centre of world attention by the success of the II Festival of the Sea, Fimarsub. The festival was to celebrate everything "sea related" such as diving, underwater photography, artisans creating sea related products, movies of aquatic sealife, sand sculpture etc, and was attended by some of the world's best in fields such as underwater photography, and also by international journalists specialising in marine related issues. La concejala de Turismo del Ayuntamiento de La Oliva, Nereida Calero, thanked everyone who had been involved as the results had been spectacular. A video of the event will be presented at the Tourbuceo, the diving fair in Madrid on January 28th and 29th, where what Fuerteventura can showcase its potential for amazing underwater activities.
Autumn planting begins
Five tractors will travel through Fuerteventura planting 24.000 kilograms of cereal seeds. The crop will also prevent erosion of the soil and feed the birds who's survival would be threatened without this suppliment to their diet. Legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, etc.)will be planted later.
October 17th
New soccer pitch for Villaverde
The Cabildo has awarded the contract to build the new synthetic soccer pitch in Villaverde, in the municipality of La Oliva, with a budget of 446.693,36 euro. The work is expected to be complete six months from now and the building work should begin around the New Year. The Cabildo in conjunction with the consejería de Deportes directed by Edilia Pérez, is developing a campaign of improvement of the sports facilities on the island, so the sportsmen and athletes from Fuerteventura will have the optimum conditions to reach their potential. The funding for these projects is long term and already covers 2005/6.
October 14th
Dia Mundial del Tourismo 2005
The International day of Tourism, Dia Mundial del Tourismo 2005 was held recently. Prizes were given for contributions to tourism and the statistics gained from questioning tourists at the airport during August were revealed. Visit The International day of Tourism
Concentracion de Motos
The Chicago Rock cafe held a round the island bike tour to celebrate their first year since opening. Visit Concentracion de Motos
El Mattoral Clean up.
A team of cleaners with a bull dozer and trucks will move in to clean up El Mattoral, after complaints about piles of rubbish building up in the area.
Road Safety Awareness Courses
Students in the educational centres I.E.S. Vigán, de Gran Tarajal; I.E.S. Jandía, C.E.O. de Antigua, Instituto de La Oliva, I.E.S. Corralejo, Colegio Sagrado Corazón, I.E.S. gran Tarajal, I.E.S. Puerto del Rosario, y el I.E.S. Santo Tomás de Aquino, are to receive courses to heighten their awareness of road safety issues such as the effects of the influence of drink and drugs and the dangers of riding a motorcycle without a helmet. The World Health Organisation states that the main cause of death in youths between 18 and 25 is traffic accidents, and weekends are particularly dangerous.
October 13th
Tuineje clebrates victory over the British!
As part of the fiestas de San Miguel, which took place between the 25th September and the 16th October, Tuineje celebrated it's victory over the English pirates that tried to invade the island in 1740. The battle of Tamasite is acted out each year, in Tarajalejo and Gran Tarajal.
Twinkle Trust treats 350 cats.
The Animal Aid Charity Twinkle Trust has treated over 350 Fuerteventurian cats during October's visit alone. More informaition on their work will be available on the website soon.
October 12th
II Festival of the Sea, Fimarsub, Corralejo
Yesterday morning, a group of students participated in a contest of underwater photography organized in the program of activities of the II Festival of the Sea, Fimarsub. The students met on Corralejo beach, where they were given disposable cameras. La concejala de Turismo, Lime Nereid said that "the aim of this activity is to awaken among the youths a taste for the sea and and an interest in scuba diving". At 6pm yesterday, an initiation course of the underwater photography was given by Manuel Pérez, the world's top underwater photographer. Later, there was another course by Gorka Leclerq, champion of Spain 2003, and one of the organizers of Fimarsub. Here are some other photographs of the events.
October 11th
Possible goat farm
El consejero de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca of the Cabildo, Juan Estárico, has announced that there has been a proposal from Capricornio S.L., to create a farm with 25,000 goats for the production of cheese, at the rate of 40 tons per week. Concerns were raised from farmers already in business on the island. The counselor Juan Estárico, regreted that a study on the socio-economic affects of this on the current goat farmers has not been done. There are ongoing negotiations to establish if the current goat farmers could guarantee enough milk themselves for the project. The counselor of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fishing declared that any project not to the benefit of the local farmers would be opposed.
Aida Blu
The Aida Blu cruiser has brought 26,111 passengers onto Fuerteventura this season. Today passengers disembarking from the ship, docking in Puerto del Rosario will be greeted with tourist information, and gifts of local wine and cheese by officials from the tourist board. The captain will also get a traditional gift. There will also be a street market with traditional Canarian products.
October 9th
Visit by Canarian Government
Isaac Godoy, from the Education, Culture and Sports Department of the Government of the Canaries, is to visit to monitor investment in those areas. He will meet with el presidente del Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Mario Cabrera, and from el consejero insular de Education and Youth, Alejandro Jorge. A press conference will be held at 12.30 Monday.
October 8th
Fiestas del Rosario 2005
The Fiestas del Rosario 2005 is coming to an end. There was a parade of the Venerada Imagen de la Virgen, round the streets of Puerto followed by food, drink and dancing in the church square. For photographs and details of the event, see The Fiestas del Rosario 2005
October 6th
Festival of the Sea, held soon in Corralejo
From the 10 to the 15 of October, Corralejo will host its second International Festival of the Sea. During that time there will be free courses on underwater photography, video's, photographs and talks about the sea and sea creatures. There will also be sand sculpting and artisans selling wares to do with the sea. Other related activities will be promoted.
The 2004 statistics on Fuerteventura
EL ANUARIO ESTADÍSTICO DE 2004, collected by the Cabildo, lists 91.665 inhabitants of Fuerteventura. It also holds data referring to territory, health, primary sector, industry, transportations, tourism and social indicators, etc to be used for studies and reports. This can be viewed at www.cabildofuer.es.
Tourism Prizes
The distinguished award ceremony of Tourism will be held on the 8th October at 12, in the Hotel Barceló in El Castillo. The data from the satisfaction surveys carried out during August to the tourists that visited the island will also be available.
October 5th
Caleta paraiso gets new president.
At last nights AGM, Caleta Paraiso owners elected a new president and comittee. see Caleta Paraiso. news.
October 4th
Cueva del Llano, Villaverde
A new road is being completed to give access to the Cueva del Llano, in Villaverde (La Oliva). The Facultad de Biología de la Universidad de La Laguna, has discovered a spider of type arácnido triglobio which is endemic to Fuerteventura but which is distinct enough to be a new species. At the end of the cave is a tunnel which is paleontologic and very rich in remainders of vertebrates, gastropods fossils and subfosils.
October 2nd
Tourism increases
Fuerteventura's tourist board reports an increase of 5.8%. The German market is recovering and a number of tourists from Italy, Portugal and France have begun to arrive in Fuerteventura. Mostly, German tourists visit the island, with uk visitors second highest in number, and the Dutch third.
Suppport to Red Cross and other Services.
The Cabildo is giving 180,000 euro to the Cruz Roja, for immigrant refuge, the promotion of social concience and other types of humane aid.
117,000 euro for social services in Tuineje, as it has in other municipalities to eradicate violence, for acts of social integration and to support services.
499,000 euro in 2005/6, to Puerto del Rosario's new athletic stadium for a running track.
The Mirador de Morro Velosa, was discussed to the effect that it had been a restaurant 4 times before always with low profits and it was hoped that in the future this could become a visitor centre for the rural park of Betancuria.
Travel reductions for students
Students can get a card giving them a reduction of 60% when traveling to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife to attend courses or cultural events.
Courses in Contemporary art history.
The El Centro Juan Ismael in conjunction with Fundación Mapfre, is holding courses on the 4th, 11th, 18th,and 25th October between 8 and 9pm, on the history of contemporary art of the Canaries.
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