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ARRECIFE, VOLCANIC BEAUTY
Alongside its modern hotel facilities, such as the 5 star Arrecife Gran Hotel, opened a few months ago, Lanzarote's capital offers unique landscapes of volcanic origin in which to host all manner of professional tourism events. In 2005, the city is improving its facilities by setting up a quality system and remodelling the Jameos del Agua Auditorium, that will be ready by the end of the year.
The island of Lanzarote, 900 square metres, was named one of the six universal models of sustainable development by the World Tourism Organization. In accordance with this specific status, its gradual entry into the tourist industry was made by giving top priority to its virgin areas and open spaces, and by using environmental studies. This same caution is now being applied to its golf and active tourism services, as well as its current plans that include the creation of new leisure venues and the construction of a conference centre.
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The city, full of examples of its importance as a marine communications hub, offers Charco de San Ginés, an area boasting the hundred-year old fortresses of San Gabriel Castle and San José Castle, transformed by Manrique's cutting-edge architecture and his private collection in the Contemporary Art Museum, near the port and the old town. The lively city beaches, for example el Reducto, and El Charco and avenida León del Castillo house a buzzing nightlife and a culinary offer accompanied by well-known local wines.
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For more information:
Lanzarote Tourist Board
 + 34 928 811 762
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Aside from the modern hotel facilities, the outskirts of Arrecife provide trade visitors with different art and cultural centres in which to discover its ancient customs, crafts and artwork that blend in with its landscape. Of particular note among these visits is the César Manrique Foundation - that reviews this international sculptor's work and legacy on the island -, and Timanfaya National Park, that explains the geological phenomena related to its volcanic nature in a theme tour. Its facilities include a restaurant which uses the earth's internal heat to cook traditional local dishes. Other highlights are the Tanit Ethnography Museum, set in a traditional 18 th century Canary Island house, and the wine tourism option of El Grifo Wine Museum, 18 th century bodegas built on the volcanic lava of a former eruption.
Nature as setting
 Some of the open spaces on the island of Lanzarote, the most easterly and northerly of the Canaries, named a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco since 1993, look set to become an exceptional setting for hosting professional events. In accordance with a current project by Lanzarote Tourist Board, a selection of privileged locations including "roferos" and cliffs, beaches and caves, can be fitted out as ideal settings for holding professional meetings with lasting facilities that can be dismantled. To date, product presentations and concerts have been staged on Explanada de los Hervideros, Tahiche Volcano, el Cuervo Volcano, after prior approval from the respective authorities and in line with land and environmental regulations. This initiative provides meeting and incentive planners and companies with an attractive opportunity to use the natural environments that characterize the island's landscape for their activities. These possible settings include landscapes, such as Rofero de Tesguite, Cueva de los Verdes, Salinas de Janubio or playa de los Clicos. |
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