• HOME

After the visit of FIJET Spain members, in June this year, in Romania, upon

which they were pleasantly surprised by what the Danube Delta, this

unique land which doesn’t stop amazing any tourist, traveler or connoisseur,

geologist, biologist, professional photographer or professional journalist, can

offer, it is a great pleasure to honor the invitation that our colleagues from

FIJET Spain addressed the Romanian members of FIJET,to Tenerife. The

expedition will take place in December 2019. Thus, we will present some

general data on the Canary Islands and Tenerife in the present article,

followed by future articles and images related to the visit to one of the most

beautiful places on Earth. FIJET Spain (Federación Internacional de

Periodistas y Escritores de Turismo) has 33 members and is chaired by

Miguel Angel González Suárez.

The Canary Islands are known as Europe’s sun-trap, and for their mild

temperatures and outstanding natural surroundings. In fact, five of the

islands (El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote), the

western half of Gran Canaria, and the Anaga Massif in Tenerife, are official

Biosphere Reserves. The archipielago also has four National Parks.

Its beaches are its most outstanding attractions, and are perfect for relaxing

in the sun or enjoying water sports such as windsurfing and scuba diving. In

the interior you’ll find amazing landscapes which are ideal for hiking, cycle

touring, rock climbing and even caving. Some of the most spectacular

include the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote, the beaches of Fuerteventura

and Gran Canaria with their sand dunes, the green forests of La Palma and

La Gomera and the peace and quiet of La Graciosa.

The Canary Islands also offer a range of cultural options to explore,

including the monumental site at San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which has

been awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO, and the work

of César Manrique in Lanzarote. If you’re going in February you’ll also be

able to enjoy the spectacular Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Scented pine forests, haunting volcanoes, lunar-like landscapes, secret

sandy coves, miles of Sahara-style dunes, beach-hugging resorts - the

beautiful, unique Canary Islands wear many tantalising hats.

Marvel at the pine-forested peaks of Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior,

the tumbling waterfalls of La Palma or the subtropical greenery of La

Gomera’s Parque Nacional de Garajonay. Then contrast all this lushness

with the extraordinary bare flatlands flanking Tenerife’s El Teide, the

surreal party of colours glittering across Lanzarote’s lava fields, the gentle

flower-filled hillsides of El Hierro, and Fuerteventura’s endless cacti-

sprinkled plains. The Canary Islands’ near-perfect temperatures mean that,

year-round, you can soak up fantastical, varied landscapes otherwise only

found by crossing continents.

It’s this very diversity that makes outdoor pursuits such an easily accessible

and key pleasure of the Canaries. Hike the many footpaths criss-crossing

the islands, from meandering coastal trails to challenging mountain treks to

tranquil forest walks; go diving or snorkelling in blissfully warm waters

inhabited by more than 350 species of fish (and the odd shipwreck); or pump

up the adrenaline by riding the wind and the waves - kitesurfing,

windsurfing, surfing and paragliding are all big here. Then slow things down

with horse rides, boat trips, kayaking and paddle-boarding jaunts or

beachfront yoga.

Art & Architecture

Contrary to many expectations, the Canary Islands are immensely rich in

both original art and architecture - sometimes you just need to know where

to look. The spectacular surrealist canvases of world-acclaimed painter

Óscar Domínguez grace his Tenerife homeland; the enormous abstract

sculptures of Martín Chirino are impossible to miss on Gran Canaria; and

César Manrique’s inspired ‘interventions’ pop up all over Lanzarote (and

beyond). Everywhere, seek out the emblematic wooden balconies, leafy

internal patios and cheerily painted facades that typify vernacular Canarian

architecture, and pop into charming palm-shaded churches, many of which

date back several centuries.

The Canary Islands is, after Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, the third

preferred autonomous community among international tourists visiting

Spain. This archipelago of volcanic origin off the coast of Morocco and

Western Sahara has become almost a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all

over Europe, especially from the United Kingdom and Germany. Its

subtropical climate and its cultural and landscape richness make the

„Fortunate Islands” a perfect tourist destination, something that the local

population has learned to exploit very well. Such is the importance of

tourism for the regional economy, that the sector generates more than 40%

of employment and its contribution to the GDP exceeds 35%.

As in any other tourist destination, the hotel sector plays a very important

role in the Canary Islands. Without going any further, around 60% of the

tourists who come to the islands opt for a hotel establishment most 4 stars

to stay during their stay. In addition, room occupancy rates are only below

80 per cent throughout the year. As for the most popular destinations, the

two main islands stand out over the rest. Not surprisingly, Tenerife and

Gran Canaria record the majority of overnight stays in the archipelago, as

well as the highest Adrs and Revpar.

But the Canary Islands not only benefit from the arrival of tourists from

abroad, but also the local population contributes to their own economic

development. The inhabitants of the archipelago travel both on their island

of residence and on the other six and, like outsiders, visit mainly Gran

Canaria and Tenerife. The average stay is about four days and the annual

expenditure amounts to about 1.9 billion euros. Among the most visited

municipalities are San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán, in Gran Canaria,

and Adeje, in Tenerife.

El turismo en Canarias - Datos estadísticos

Canarias es, tras Cataluña y las Islas Baleares, la tercera comunidad

autónoma preferida entre los turistas internacionales que visitan España.

Este archipiélago de origen volcánico situado frente a las costas de

Marruecos y el Sáhara Occidental se ha convertido casi en lugar de

peregrinación para turistas de toda Europa, especialmente del Reino Unido y

Alemania. Su clima subtropical y su riqueza cultural y paisajística hacen de

las „islas Afortunadas” un destino turístico perfecto, algo que la población

local ha aprendido a explotar muy bien. Tal es la importancia del turismo

para la economía regional, que el sector genera más del 40% del empleo y

su aportación al PIB supera el 35%.

Como en cualquier otro destino turístico, el sector hotelero juega un papel

muy importante en Canarias. Sin ir más lejos, alrededor del 60% de los

turistas que llegan a las islas opta por un establecimiento hotelero -la

mayoría de 4 estrellas- para alojarse durante su estancia. Además, el grado

de ocupación por habitaciones apenas baja del 80% durante todo el año. En

cuanto a los destinos más populares, las dos islas principales destacan sobre

el resto. No en vano, Tenerife y Gran Canaria registran la mayoría de las

pernoctaciones realizadas en el archipiélago, así como los ADR y RevPAR

más altos.

Pero las islas Canarias no solo se benefician de la llegada de turistas del

exterior, sino que la población local también contribuye a su propio

desarrollo económico. Los habitantes del archipiélago realizan viajes tanto

en su isla de residencia como en las seis restantes y, al igual que los

forasteros, visitan sobre todo Gran Canaria y Tenerife. La estancia media es

de unos cuatro días y el gasto anual asciende a cerca de 1.900 millones de

euros. Entre los municipios más visitados, destacan San Bartolomé de

Tirajana y Mogán, en Gran Canaria, y Adeje, en Tenerife.