Three or four years ago a trend among the British public who take holidays abroad has been to move away from their traditional favourite destinations like Spain and the Spanish islands like Lanzarote to new areas like Turkey, Egypt and Morocco.

The reason for the move away from Spain and other traditionally favoured British areas of Europe isn’t because those traditionally favoured areas are not good holiday areas anymore - but simply because of economics.

The British currency - sterling - has declined in value against the currency most countries favoured by the British for their holidays, including Spain - the Euro. It has pushed up the cost of a family holiday quite a bit, to the extent where destinations not using the Euro have become popular. Turkey, Egypt and Morocco are the three top ones.

But there are signs from travel agent polls and data showing that the British are returning to their old haunts in increasing numbers, and that Spain is coming back into favour.

However, although the percentage of the overall market might be swinging back in favour of traditional holiday areas, huge problems remain for their travel industries as the number of people taking holidays this year has dropped dramatically because of the recession.

Media reports indicate different drops for different locations, for example Cyprus is thought to be experiencing a ten per cent drop in tourist numbers, while the number of people taking holidays in Lanzarote could be double that this year.

The good news for those who do visit Cyprus and Lanzarote is that even in the peak summer months the islands won’t be crowded, it will be easy to get seats at restaurants, and room for the whole family to stretch out and enjoy themselves on the beach - it could be a great year to visit, but what else will they find in Lanzarote for example, apart from less holidaymakers?

The island is a top dive destination for many divers worldwide for one, and diving lessons for newcomers can be taken. Underwater visibility in the waters around Lanzarote is 65 to 100 feet. Marine life includes angel sharks, moray eels, damselfish, groupers and many others. The occasional hammerhead shark is also known to inhabit the waters off Lanzarote.

Shipwrecks, natural caves and tunnels add to the thrill of diving in Lanzarote. Underwater landmarks have been named by various people over the years. During a visit to Lanzarote you may hear diving locations such as the ‘cathedral’ which is an underwater cave to the left of the Playa de la Barrilla Bay near Puerto del Carmen.

As well as diving, the wonderful weather in Lanzarote throughout the year is conducive to a variety of sports activities. Take your pick of golf, horseback riding, tennis and windsurfing.

The top golf course on the island is Golf Costa Teguise. The 18 hole golf course was designed by John Harris and built in 1978, and is good for both beginners and expert golfers. The course is located at the base of an inactive volcano and surrounded by all natural flora.

Like much of Lanzarote it’s pretty unique, and helps explain why holidaymakers who haven’t been to Lanzarote for a few years are starting to return - and discovering the Lanzarote they fell in love with is still there in all her glory.

Europe’s Lanzarote is well known for her family friendly vacations, both in the summer and winter.

But now Lanzarote is attracting holidaymakers for a niche holidays market - surfing.

And for the surfer looking to catch great waves in a top beach destination, Lanzarote has just been recognised as being one of the best locations in the world to pursuit the sport - or just for fun.

A leading internet for surfing puts Lanzarote high on their list of the hundred best places in the world, coming shortly after another travel site suggested Lanzarote had one of the top beaches in the world, and hinted that other beaches in Lanzarote were good for watersports.

The recognition among the internet travel sites of Lanzarote being top for their own niche sector will come as no surprise to many Europeans, who helped Lanzarote beat the recession in 2008 with higher visitor numbers, despite publicity suggesting that some of the hotels in Lanzarote might be pulled down, having been built on land where they shouldn’t have been.

Lanzarote is already a favourite dive destination for many divers worldwide - underwater visibility in the waters around Lanzarote is 65 to 100 feet. Marine life includes angel sharks, moray eels, damselfish, groupers and many others. The occasional hammerhead shark is also known to inhabit the waters of Lanzarote.

Diving during the summer months is often more comfortable in a 7mm semidry suit - however a 5mm wetsuit will suffice any time of year. Some divers prefer a dry suit with hood and gloves during the winter months. The water is warmest from June through to around mid October usually.

One of the travel and holiday sites that recommends Lanzarote states that while Lanzarote is just a hundred miles off Africa, it is Spanish, and describe the locals as ‘passionate’.

And of Lanzarote’s 90 beaches they say the best one, which ranks among the best in the world, is on the south of the island, at Caleta del Congrio, with an 87 per cent privacy rating.

They also suggest that those who like wind surfing during their holidays in Lanzarote should head for a different Lanzarote beach - the four mile long Famara Beach. And it is this beach that has helped prompt the windsurfing fraternity to put the island as among the best not just in Europe but globally.

Sandy beaches and water sports aren’t all that await in Lanzarote, and the island is great for family holidays as well.

Puerto Del Carmen for example is a great town for many family activities. The Rancho Texas Theme Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puerto Del Carmen. The first mayor of San Antonio, Texas, was originally from Lanzarote and the park is, in part, a tribute to that connection. Some of the park’s most popular attractions include crocodiles, parrots and a ‘Birds of Prey’ show. Pony and canoe rides and many other activities await anxious tourists and excited children.

But if it is for a watersport activity holiday Puerto Del Carmen is good for that too as it offers sports enthusiasts a wide range of activities. Locally owned diving shops often take tourists on amazing underwater adventures to various places around the island. Diving schools are available for those who wish to learn to dive or snorkel. Windsurfing, swimming, boating, jet skiing and paragliding are also very popular water sports enjoyed by many locals and tourists. Sports enthusiasts also can enjoy golfing, cycling, running, hiking, camping and other local activities, including the Ironman competition.

Costa Teguise is another town that is built around tourism. It is about 6 miles north-east of the capital city Arrecife. The entire resort is built on former lava fields and saltpans. The resort consists of several apartment blocks, bungalows and villas. Primary attractions are the golf course, a marina, commercial shops and entertainment. Many visitors enjoy the water park in the outskirts of the resort, and the Lanzarote weather is certainly conducive to water based activities.

Whatever the reason for a holiday in Lanzarote, the island is a good choice, and quite a few tour operators are offering good deals for holidays in Lanzarote for this year.