Canary Islands Eco-Tourism Industry
Canary Islands are inhabited by about 2 million people. The main cities of the islands are Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There are two public universities, located on the two main islands: the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of La Laguna, Tenerife, with about 50.000 students.
More than 25.000 students study technical or scientific subjects, what means a very interesting pool of talent. There is also a strong network of vocational training centers, which specialize in different subjects coordinated by the regional ministries of Education and Employment. However, the Canary Islands have a strong and developed educational sphere, eco-tourism is the most developed industry of the islands’ economy.
The tourists of the Canary Islands are offered some remarkable contrasts. Here, they find one of the highest mountains in Europe, beaches of soft, black and golden sand, and seas of still-hot volcanic lava, as well as mist-shrouded and moss-cloaked forests that are preserved from the Tertiary Era. Some of the islands in this archipelago are steep, razor-sharp, and volcanic, with their tops hidden by clouds; some of them are mere slivers of sand, like slices cut from Africa and rolled flat by blistering sunshine.
The ideal combination of Spanish charm and natural beauty makes this archipelago the most visited holiday destination for those in the mainland. Tourists flock from all over Europe to visit the Canary Islands for their stunning beaches, balmy weather, and volcanic landscapes. Situated on the northwest coast of Africa, near Morocco, the Canary Islands are made up of seven islands, which are El Hierro, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, and Tenerife.
Travel to the Canary Islands is very accessible thanks to eight airports, which serve the area. Because of their gorgeous landscapes and lush vegetation, exploring the Canary Islands’ natural beauty is a great activity in itself, but there are more activities to do, including golf, hiking, water-based sports, and stargazing.
The Canary Islands are part of Spain, but they are located in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to the African nations of Morocco and Cape Verde than to the Iberian Peninsula. Not quite as popular as Ibiza, Mallorca, and the other Balearic Islands of the Spanish Mediterranean, the Canary Islands have become an extremely popular tourist destination in their own way.
The whole region was a backwater until the jet age began and sunseekers began hopping flights to Gran Canaria and Tenerife to enjoy their beaches and warm weather. Tourism plays a great role in the local economies of the islands, but, like other resorts around the world, most tourists concentrate on several seaside spots, leaving much of the islands in their natural state.
Outdoor Activities and Attractions on the Canary Islands
Featuring arid volcanic landscapes, the Canary Islands are perfect places for hiking and other activities, which are exciting enough to strike everybody’s fancy. Dive sites and ideal windsurfing and sailing conditions add to environmentally friendly options. The green attractions and landscapes of the Canary Islands greatly vary from island to island, as does the infrastructure.
However, even Gran Canaria boasts a natural side: over 40 % of the natural land is saved. Eco-tourism attractions of the islands are perhaps under-advertised, but it is still very easy to find accommodations and organize activities.
Despite of the spread-out geography of the Canary Islands and their relatively small size, they boast a good public transportation network. There are lots of buses that connect major sites on the main islands and regular ferry service that makes it possible to travel among the islands without having to travel by plane. Regularly, a ferry company sails its large ferries between each of the islands of the archipelago. The ferries feature restaurants, Wi-Fi, sightseeing terraces, and shops. For tourists’ convenience, bus service is available on each island.
On the higher-traffic islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, an enormous network of routes connects tourist sites and the towns. Bus service on smaller islands is infrequent, though it is still possible to get around by bus on islands like Fuerteventura and El Hierro. One more good way to see the islands is cycling, although there are no special accommodations for bikers. Once riders get out of populated areas, traffic becomes light, and there are plenty of options for off-blacktop riding.
Those tourists who are not interested in sunbathing and clubbing (or those looking for some ways to spend part of their time away from the dance floor) should go for hiking, which is one of the main reasons to visit the islands. Even major islands like Gran Canaria and Tenerife feature vast natural areas that are best discovered on foot. Gran Canaria is a surprisingly attractive place for walks. Both ambitious tracks and short strolls are possible on this island. Tenerife has one of the best sites for hiking.
Mount Teide, the tallest peak in Spain, towers over the Teide National Park and the rest of the island. Though permission is required to trek to the summit of the mountain, loftiness can be reached via a cable car. During wintertime, there is snow on the top of Teide, which makes for a scene unlike the one that is usually associated with the pleasant Canary Islands weather.
Another type of environmental attraction in Canary Island is Loro Parque, which is located in Tenefire. A full-fledged zoo was established as a place for housing and breeding endangered parrots. Today, it still focuses on the colorful birds, but also there are other animals, including orcas, tigers, and chimpanzees. Loro Parque supports eco-friendly energy projects in Tenerife and also creates its own water with its desalination system. With a full variety of the eco-tourism and mainstream options on the islands, it is easy to have a look at the region’s smaller land masses.
La Gomera is the second smallest of the islands, which is considered to be a destination for hippies. However, its laid-back vibe and lush landscapes have brought the island to more travelers’ attention. The main tourist spot on Gomera, Valle Gran Rey, has plenty of hiking opportunities, from challenging guide-led treks up to higher elevations to leisurely strolls through the lowlands. The rain forests of Garajonay National Park are one more unique place to trek through a preserved natural environment.
Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands. There is Timanfaya National Park, a volcanic landscape, which has remained largely unimpaired since its eruption in the 18th century. Few rainfalls on the island preserved the topography of Timanfaya, so it has not changed a lot in the past two centuries.
The smallest, greenest, and least developed member of the archipelago is El Hierro. In 2000, the island was labeled a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Now, it is completely off the grid thanks to a wind farm and other sustainable energy sources. El Hierro offers tourists a chance to forego the other attractions of the Canary Islands and simply focus on nature. On the island, there is a great number of tracks and footpaths in a variety of settings, environments, and climates, all with different levels of difficulty.
Hiking helps tourists get a clearer view of the island, see its beauty, and get to know more about the way of life of its people. There are rural inns, which help green-minded visitors spend their time in close proximity to one of the archipelago’s 145 protected areas. These small sleeping spots are the backbone of the eco-tourism industry in the Canary Islands, which support local businesses while offering tourists a low-impact, nature-oriented vacation.
Since the Canary Islands are an island destination, water and sun-based activities are plentiful. Dolphin and whale watching tours are possible with large tourism companies and locals both offering cruises. Throughout the archipelago, scuba diving opportunities are also available for everybody. Tenerife’s Playa Paraiso is home for sea turtles, while places like the underwater spires of Baja Ribera are perfect for different forms of sea life and challenging diving conditions.
If the Canary Islands are known for something different than bars and beaches, then it is windsurfing. All the islands feature perfect conditions for sailboarding, but the most popular place for surfing is Fuerteventura, which offers ideal conditions for wind-powered adrenaline rushes. Those surfers who need a break from the water, can explore nature at Wolf Island, Isla des Lobos, a small offshore landmass inhabited by local birds.
Canary Islands Cuisine: the Best Food Tourism
In the Canary Islands, tourists have a great opportunity to discover a completely different world. New pleasures are waiting for them and the delicious Canarian gastronomy will definitely captivate them. The cuisine on the islands is a reflection of the quality of the land and the products, their volcanic origins, traditions, and influences of other times and cultures. Taste the Canary Islands in their traditional dishes or in the new recipes of their cuisine and propose a toast with the finest Canarian wines.
Eating locally is easy in the Canary Islands, as long as you know where to look. For people who are not involved in the tourism trade, agriculture is still one of the important parts of their life. Farmers sell the vegetables and fruits at local farmers markets that take place regularly throughout the islands. Many of them run on weekends.
Tourists who are self-catering might not have to go to a restaurant all week after they visit the market. Those who do not want to procure their own produce, there are a few vegetarian and organic options scattered around the islands. Meat eaters will definitely like seafood. Other staples are potatoes, boiled in seawater, and locally grown bananas, served fried or fresh.
If you can speak Spanish a bit, then it is possible for you to get the best meals at local places which are not served to tourists. Yes, the party scene and the beaches are part of the personality of the Canary Islands. But it is not all house sunbathing and music.
Most of the unique landscape of this beautiful part of Europe is great for different eco-tourism activities, such as trekking and hiking. That is the magic of the Canary Islands: being in the center of the action, you can still be a short boat trip away from enjoying privacy amidst some of the world’s most unique landscapes.