A record Christmas for Santa Cruz

Reservations to celebrate the different Christmas dinners have been sold out for almost a month in Santa Cruz. Trying to find a place in any of the many restaurants that populate the city at this time of the month is an impossible mission. This reality is the best example of what could be the best Christmas campaign for decades for the hotel industry in the city, but also for commerce and the service sector in general. The celebration of a Christmas and Kings without restrictions of any kind is encouraging purchases and consumption. As the delegate councilor of the Development and Commerce Society, Alfonso Cabello, acknowledges, “I can say that I breathe a degree of optimism and spending like it has not been seen in Santa Cruz for decades. We are experiencing a level of occupancy of reservations and spending in bars and restaurants unknown for years”.

A statement shared by the president of the Federation of Urban Areas of the Canary Islands (Fauca), Abbas Mounjir, although he qualifies that, in the case of commerce, the forecasts are somewhat more modest. “We believe that we are going to have a good Christmas season. There is quite a lot of animation, and since the Christmas lights came on we have noticed that there is a lot of activity. There is a desire of the general public, of the population, to enjoy a normal Christmas after the last two years. In this sense, we believe that if we close with figures similar to or somewhat higher than those of 2021, it can be considered that it has been a good Christmas”.

Mounjir acknowledges that as far as purchases are concerned, “the sector that has perhaps been having the most difficult time is the textile industry, especially with the heat that has occurred, which is why it is where the most discounts have been given with the Black Friday, since part of the public has taken advantage of this type of garment ”. A Christmas commercial start that the president of Fauca recognizes, is not as spectacular as at the beginning. “It is no longer so novel, but above all, because the discounts have been extended to the whole year”, he points out.

Regarding the general situation, “the data has confirmed that the Canary Islands lead sales at a national level, and we believe that it will continue on that path for the remainder of the campaign.” Some good prospects that have led to the closure of businesses in the capital being stopped. “New stores are opening, and the business model has been changed, which evolves based on consumer habits. This has been seen in catering and services above all”, says Abbas Mounjir.

Since the Christmas lights were turned on, commercial activity has multiplied in the streets of Santa Cruz, which since Thursday incorporates Christmas markets. FP / S.M

Since the Christmas lights were turned on, commercial activity has multiplied in the streets of Santa Cruz, which since Thursday incorporates Christmas markets. FP / S.M

Since the Christmas lights were turned on, commercial activity has multiplied in the streets of Santa Cruz, which since Thursday incorporates Christmas markets. FP / S.M

Since the Christmas lights were turned on, commercial activity has multiplied in the streets of Santa Cruz, which since Thursday incorporates Christmas markets. FP / S.M

Since the Christmas lights were turned on, commercial activity has multiplied in the streets of Santa Cruz, which since Thursday incorporates Christmas markets. FP / S.M

trade bonds

But if there is something that has given a notable boost to purchases in the face of Christmas, it has been the trade bonds, “a total success”, asserts Mounjir, who adds that “we are waiting for the next edition, which seems to be next year, it is even being considered that it comes out earlier, during the first quarter, because it has been a real shock and a rescue for many businesses, especially in the districts”.

And it is that, as the president of Fauca details, “in the center of the city, in the end, there are other types of consumption, such as those made by tourism.” A tourism, that of cruise ships, from which, for example, the perfumery sector clearly benefits. “It is the star business among cruise passengers because the cost of perfumes at source is much higher than here,” explains Mounjir. Therefore, “that the City Council has opted to reserve a volume of trade bonds for the districts has been a success and must be congratulated for it.”

Street markets

Added to the commercial offer that Santa Cruz already has at this time is the craft markets that are beginning to open their doors in the city. The Alameda del Duque Santa Elena Christmas Market opened last Thursday with 62 tents, while the Plaza de España Gastromarket opened yesterday with 15 stalls, and will remain until January 8.

The market of the Association of Artisans of Santa Cruz will show its original creations in 10 stalls that will be arranged in the Plaza de la Iglesia del Pilar, between December 21 and 23. Already in 2023 the Art Market will install 35 stalls for creators in different disciplines, between January 2 and 4, in the Isla de la Madera square. And from January 3 to 5, the Dreamer Market will take place in the Plaza de la Iglesia de la Concepción, a commercial space with 45 tents with hours between 11:00 and 21:00.

And in this commercial route you cannot miss the Rastro, which will open on Sundays, December 25 and January 1; adding, in addition, the eve of Three Kings, which will open until three in the morning.