Why Tenerife Drew Over One Million Tourists in 2007

Vacationers returning from the Spanish isle of Tenerife will tell you some of the many reasons which make this tropical paradise the number one destination for Canary Island visitors.

Of this archipelago of seven small island bodies, Tenerife fetches almost half (about 45%) of the British visitors which travel here every year. Of those visitors, a third will return to Tenerife again. By the end of 2007, Tenerife will have seen an influx of almost a million and half visitors. Thanks to these, Tenerife credits a stunning 60% of its GDP dollars to the tourism industry.

Business owners have answered the call by catering to the fancies of travelers from abroad. The island is rife with five star hotels and resorts that offer luxury accommodations, sightseeing packages, all-inclusive holidays as well as access to colorful markets, beaches, restaurants and clubs. Tenerife is also home to many smaller economy hotels and motels, eclectic bed and breakfasts and private, self-catering style accommodations. This makes Tenerife not only a desirable destination, but an affordable one as well.

Naturally, one of Tenerife's biggest draws for tourists is its delicious white-sand beaches. A delightful mix of both man-made and naturally-formed beaches, the island of Tenerife has a location for all your fun-in-the-sun activities; from snorkeling, to scuba, to hanging ten on a surfboard, to windsurfing or just for soaking up some sun. Whether you prefer a secluded cove or a wide-open expanse of sand, you'll appreciate the efforts made by local government, as well as private business owners, to provide visitors with high standards of cleanliness and access to facilities such as restrooms and showers.

If exploration is more your cup of tea, Tenerife is abundant with breathtaking natural beauty and opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. In fact, this island boasts the tallest mountain in Spain, Mt. Teide, which is home to an extraordinary 48 km. crater left behind by an inactive volcano. Travelers who want to make a day of it can hike the crater; those with less time or desire to hike can catch a cable car to the summit where a magnificent view of this sublime paradise awaits.

Another of Tenerife's natural tourist attractions are the Cliffs of the Giants. These astounding rock walls drop from heights of 500-800 feet almost straight down into the sea. Tourists can soak in the sights from one of the restaurants and other viewpoints located across the small bay in the resort town of Los Gigantes. They may opt for an up-close and personal look at the massive rock faces by taking a tour boat across the bay.

History and archeology buffs will appreciate the Pyramids at Guimar. Archaeologists first dismissed their discovery as mere stone terraces similar to others across the Canary Islands. It has since been proved that the pyramids were authentic ancient structures akin in design and craftsmanship to those in places like Peru and ancient Mesopotamia. The pyramids now attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to marvel at their expert construction.

In addition to Tenerife's natural attractions, there are hundreds of man-made ones too. When it's time to dine, dance and party, Tenerife has a variety of first class restaurants and night clubs. It also offers small, eclectic and even quirky places that provide an even truer picture of the culture and history of this island and its inhabitants.

If a tropical vacation is in your plans for the New Year, consider putting Tenerife on your travel agenda. The local tourism board expects that travel numbers will exceed 1.5 million in terms of visitors in 2008. This means that opportunities for accommodations and activities will only get better. Once you've visited this gorgeous island, you may even count yourself in that one third who finds Tenerife too magnetic and irresistible not to visit again.