A leading holiday company recently commissioned a survey to find out where most Europeans would choose to take a winter holiday - and the favourites were the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote.
It's welcome news for the islands that saw the number of holidaymakers drop last year.
Speculation as to the reason for the slump in tourism in 2007 ranges in opinion. However, with the drop amounting to two per cent, tourist officials are confident that 2008 and 2009 holds greater promise. The tourism industry, and hotel and tour operators in particular, are gearing up for a busy New Year period. This confidence is reflected by airlines who plan to increase flights into the islands this spring.
January 2008 saw a lot of travel deals being snapped up. Flight costs were slashed and tour packages vamped up to attract the after-Christmas crowd. January tends to be a good month to travel to the Canary Islands. Historically, seat sales are abundant during the first month of the year. The tourism industry cashes in on the after-Christmas blues when people have more time to travel and crave a getaway from the dreary European mainland and British winter weather.
The annual Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is another big draw for early New Year's travelers. Coinciding with Ash Wednesday, this year's carnival began on February 6. The event always kicks off with the crowning of the carnival queen. The gala is celebrated by locals and tourists alike and is covered extensively by the local media. The days-long festival is characterised by brilliant costumes and centuries-old traditions. Parades, dancing, parties and colourful performances make this event popular with tourists.
If you can't make it to Tenerife when the travel agents often offer January and February specials, don't worry. Increased flights to the islands may result in early spring travel deals. Since late summer and early spring are still off-peak travel times, some very good priced packages will still be available. Holidaymakers who aren't bound by particular dates should scan airlines for last-minute seat sales.
So what is it that continues to draw tourists to the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Tenerife year after year? The number one reason is still the sunshine and balmy weather. Year-round sunshine appeals to European and UK tourists seeking a break from their dreary winter. Even winters are mild in the Canaries, and summer temperatures are perfect for sunning on the beach or taking in a watersport. Warm, but not scorching, weather and constant ocean breezes make the islands a delightful location for a winter holiday.
Of course, there's more to the Canaries than sun and surf. The natural beauty of the islands, ranging from rolling, sand-covered beaches to mountainous ranges dotted with volcanoes, provides endless opportunities for exploration. Outdoor sports like golf, windsurfing, scuba diving, hiking and bicycling bring the visitors close to nature in an activity-oriented manner.
With all that Tenerife and Lanzarote have going for them, they will no doubt remain popular destinations for many years. The latest report on their popularity has tourism officials vamping up plans for 2009 travel season to ensure holidaymakers have a good time, and will want to visit again.
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