Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote remains as popular as a holiday resort now as it was 40 years ago. Like so many areas of mainland Spain, it developed from its origins as a fishing village in response to increased popularity of packaged holidays to the Canary Islands. There is now a wide range of older and newer holiday villas in Puerto del Carmen, together with holiday apartments and hotels. The main town itself is undergoing a refurbishment currently, mainly to incorporate a more pedestrian friendly main thoroughfare. This is due to be completed well in advance of the main summer holiday season in 2010.