The year 2011 is barely six weeks old and already it has seen monumental events that have changed the faces of Tunisia and Egypt.

While images of protester clashes with authorities have filled our newspapers and TV screens, foreign embassies have issued advice against all but essential travel to both Tunisia and Egypt, creating havoc in the tourism industry of both countries and holiday misery for thousands.
The full implications of the changes in world political terms have yet to unfold but in the short term, those who have had their holiday travel plans cancelled are likely to look to the Canary Islands as an alternative destination.

Lying just 500 miles off the coast of Morocco, the beautiful island of Lanzarote enjoys the same warm, sunshine filled days as Egypt and Tunisia throughout the winter but with higher daily sunshine hours and without the rapid drop in nightly temperature. The arid, flat landscape and uniformly white, low rise buildings are reminiscent of its north African neighbours while its crystal clear waters with their annual average temperature of around 20ºC are a scuba diver’s dream.

In the popular tourist destination of Costa Teguise, Sands Beach Resort is gearing up in order to receive additional guests whose holiday plans have been affected by the situation in Egypt and Tunisia. From its privileged position alongside the lovely salt water lagoon of Los Charcos Beach, Sands Beach Resort offers the highest standard of accommodation in luxury villas and apartments which line the lagoon beach front or surround palm lined plazas and swimming pools.

Working in partnership with local companies, Sands Beach Resort offers excellent facilities and a host of activities including tennis, cycling, surfing, windsurfing, kite boarding and not least, scuba diving to allow its guests to capitalise on Lanzarote’s deserved reputation as an active holiday destination.

With predictions of around 300,000 holidaymakers looking to book alternative holidays to the Canary Islands, hotels across the islands are likely to see a rapid increase in the demand for rooms at what is already one of their busiest seasons. Sands Beach Resort are currently running their Spring into Action offer of 25% discount on holiday bookings made before the 15th February 2011. Those affected by the crises in Egypt and Tunisia would do well to make early arrangements to book an alternative holiday and take advantage of the savings before places fill up.