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http://www.webtenerife.com/bgtw2010/storyideas/Back-to-Nature.pdfTRANSCRIPT
British Guild of Travel Writers 2010Annual General Meeting 26th to 29th January
Back to Nature
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Tenerife is part of the Macaronesia, one of the four richest biological areas of
the natural world. The island authorities, supported by the EEC are striving to
achieve a balance between tourism and the preservation of the environment.
Thanks to this ecological awareness, half of the island is National Park or Nature
Reserve.
The island government is entirely supportive of this policy of protection of
the natural environment and its natural resources, and the PIOT (Plan for
the Organisation and Safeguard of the Environment) contributes largely
towards setting the guidelines for sustainable development and care of the
environment.
Active Tourism
The variety of landscapes and the superb climate make Tenerife an ideal location
for outdoor activities all year round, from hiking to cycling and climbing to
caving, potholing to paragliding. More unusual activities include stargazing in
the world’s largest volcanic caldera in the Teide National Park and exploring one
of the world’s largest lava tubes on a guided tour at Cueva Del Viento.
Outdoor activities are complemented by excursions to the island’s charming villages
and towns to see traditional Canarian architecture, witness colourful festivals and
enjoy the hospitality of the friendly local people. There are a host of restaurants to
suit all tastes and pockets. Rural accommodation is also an option and an ideal way
to experience the lesser known side of Tenerife – there is a wide choice in charming
country hotels, traditional farmhouses and typical rustic homes.
Tenerife Natural, a brand marketed by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation comprises
58 associated companies dealing with all aspects of rural tourism, from excursions
to outdoor sporting activities complemented by central reservation offices on the
Web for rural accommodation and a growing number of rural houses and hotels
perfect for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.
Footpaths
Tenerife is a landscape of contrasts and micro-climates; a volcanic island, with
stunning beaches and coastal paths that run alongside mountain tracks, woodland
paths and watercourses that cross the lush terrain.
The island brings together an enormous variety of landscapes and ecosystems and
over 47% of the territory is classified as protected in one way or another. These
protected natural spaces have a rich legacy of history and natural beauty, and
each footpath offers surprising insights into the heritage of the island and each
step, brings visitors closer to discovering the real Tenerife, whether meandering
along ancient watercourses, treading woodland paths, or enjoying a variety of
spectacular views.
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The network of footpaths on the island is growing daily. New routes are
rehabilitated and put back into use, offering an increasing variety of opportunities
to experience the natural world first hand. Many of these footpaths have been
improved to meet the European standards of the ERA (European Ramblers
Association) which guarantees the quality of the signage and levels of safety.
Gardens & parks in Tenerife
Tenerife has many important gardens and parks that are well worth visiting for
those with green fingers. In Puerto de la Cruz, the Jardín Botánico was created by
royal order in August, 1788, due to the need to cultivate species from the tropics
in a good climate and has major collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants.
In Icod de los Vinos visitors can see the ‘thousand-year-old Dragon’ (officially only
800 years!) in Parque Del Drago, one of the most important natural, cultural and
historic symbols of the Canary Islands. The Icod Dragon tree is considered the
oldest specimen on the islands at more than 16 metres tall and some 20 metres
around the base.
The oldest garden in Tenerife is the Orchid Garden Sitio Litre in Puerto del la Cruz
at over 220 years, and featuring a private mansion that dates from 1730. The
owners decided to open this magnificent garden to the public and they have the
largest collection of orchids on the island, the largest and oldest dragon tree in
Puerto de la Cruz and souvenirs from important visitors like the famous German
botanist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and Agatha Christie.
Interesting Facts
• Tenerife has 42 protected areas which represent 48.6% of the island’s land
surface
• From the mountains to the coast, Tenerife has a remarkable variety of
scenery and micro-climatic conditions from rain forest to coastal desert
• The Teide National Park is an ideal location for studying volcanic features
in the islands. Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain, standing at
3,718 metres The National Park was declared a natural heritage site by
UNESCO in 2007
• In the northern part of the island are sub-tropical forests, Laurisilva, that
used to cover a good part of the Mediterranean basin until the end of the
Tertiary age
• Bird watching is increasingly popular – the Blue Chaffinch, the Tenerife
Kinglet, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit and Rock Dove are just some
of the species inhabiting the island
• The strait dividing Tenerife from the island of La Gomera is populated
with one of the most important colony of pilot whales (calderon) in the
world together with bottlenose dolphins
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• The Canary is endemic to the Canary Islands and is where these colourful
birds got their name from and it’s common to see and hear them in
fields, pine forests, ravines and in bush and thicket areas
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Tenerife Tourism Corporation
For more information visit www.webtenerife.com or contact Raquel Fonseca
Email: [email protected] Tel: (0) 20 8334 7026