Tenerife has been described as “the most emerging cruise location” in the Atlantic.

The praise from Port Authority president Pedro Rodríguez Zaragoza follows the latest figures which show an increase of 20% in cruise passengers in 2011. He described this as “spectacular” and said data, trends and forecasts were equally as good.

After the Caribbean and Med, the Canary Islands proved the third biggest area in the world for cruise traffic over the winter.

There are certain matters we don’t like speaking about and would prefer to forget. One of these matters is death and everything related to it. However, it is useless to try and ignore the subject because this inevitable reality will ultimately have to be dealt with. So it is best to prepare for the future in a calm manner.  It is always advisable to make a will to protect the interests of your loved ones. If you die without a will, the inheritance proceedings will be more complicated and your estate will be dealt with according to the rules of intestacy, and not according to your wishes. 

Backing for Brian: This picture shows an ancient sabina tree and a reckless tourist on El Hierro which angered Queen guitarist Brian May so much before Christmas (Photo from www.brianmay.com)

It was posted to his website by a Canary Island resident who told him about an increasingly worrying trend across Spain where visitors help themselves to nature souvenirs.

As you can see, the sabina tree on El Hierro is not immune. Did this tourist realise what he was doing ie. causing yet more harm to a tree which has become such a symbol of the island? Probably not but because the picture is so vivid and quite shocking to those who love nature, it does make you think twice about your own behaviour towards our environment and it’s absolutely certain that each and everyone of us can play a part.

A drugs gang operating on Gran Canaria had set up a 24-hour “cocaine supermarket”.

In an operation codenamed “Tower”, police arrested 18 people, 15 of them Spanish, one from Romania, a Swede and a Moroccan.

They believe the network was one of the most active on the island and had even resorted to mapping out the movements and headquarters of other dealers and then stole drugs from them.

Four drug supermarkets were raided, cocaine and other narcotic substances seized, together with a mock firearm, phones and various effects. Four high-class cars were also impounded and 22,000 euros in cash.

The drugs were sold in various locations around the island, including Las Palmas and prime tourist sites in the south.

Police said members of the gang would interchange their roles to try and avoid detection. They also kept guard on the drug supermarkets, the main one being in the capital which was operated on eight hour shifts.

 

CD Tenerife’s coach Antonio Calderón insists the club is still going in the right direction for promotion.

The visitors came away from Gran Canaria on January 15th with a disappointing 1-1 draw against derby rivals Vecindario.

It leaves CD Tenerife fourth in the table but Calderón insists that with 18 games still to go, there is still everything to play for.

The club had travelled to Gran Canaria with the sole intention of winning but it was not to be as they conceded an equaliser in the dying moments. Calderón complained afterwards about the match decisions and said the result was completely undeserved as CD Tenerife should have had all three points.

The very successful “Noche en Blanco” held in La Laguna each Christmas is inspiring Santa Cruz to look at is own shopping promotion.

Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez is contemplating offering traders the chance to open 24 hours around the clock on two days a year.

Nothing has yet been decided but the capital days it doesn’t want to copy La Laguna but to be inspired by it. The “Noche en Blanco” has been held three times and on each occasion has drawn huge crowds. Shops, bars and restaurants stay open until around 3am in the morning and there is entertainment, special prizes, competitions etc, all designed to boost trade.

Sr. Bermúdez says Santa Cruz would prefer something similar but different so it could be a pioneer. 

Are you thinking about heading overseas with your pets in tow? Defra recently made important changes to their pet travel laws which mean its now easier and cheaper for you to do so.

The changes affect people entering or returning to the UK with their pet dogs, cats or ferrets.

Pet dogs, cats or ferrets entering or returning to the UK from an EU or listed country must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. Twenty-one days after vaccination, your pet will be allowed to enter the UK.

Previously, pets had to undergo a blood test and then wait six months before entering the UK – these rules no longer apply.

Pet dogs, cats or ferrets entering from a non-listed country (for example Brazil or India) no longer have to undergo a six-month quarantine process.

The new port at Garachico will come into service this summer, the Mayor has confirmed. José Heriberto González says work has actually finished on the construction and the tidying up process has begun. However, there are still loose ends to tie up, including administrative work and the final certification.

A motorist whose car was hit by a rocket on New Year’s Eve has called for tighter controls on fireworks.

Juan Rodríguez got out of his smoke-filled vehicle before it was engulfed by flames. He said his only thought was to escape because he had been unable to breath.

Expansion plans continue at the industrial estate at Granadilla. A 3.2 million euro agreement has been signed for the second phase to help bring new jobs to the area and to encourage starter businesses, as well as those involved in research and development.

The industrial park covers 700 hectares and is an important part of Tenerife, including for renewable energy. The plan includes the creation of a centre for industrial and technological development and “incubator” centres to foster small and medium-sized enterprises. There will also be shared accommodation with joint facilities for new businesses.

The new deal was signed by the Mayor Jaime González Cejas who describe it as an exciting project to encourage entrepreneurs and create economic activity.

 

Tenerife’s improved tourism is helping to create new jobs and it is hoped this positive trend will continue.

Figures show that during 2011, 68,194 new contracts were created, representing a 17.5% increase on the previous year. The hospitality industry also ended the year with 47,522 contracts, up 19.7% on 2010.

A national TV and radio advertising campaign has been launched in the UK to encourage smokers to quit.

Smokers can pick up a new and improved NHS Quit Kit from thousands of pharmacies across England to help them stop smoking.

The campaign aims to increase the number of quit attempts by smokers and to help make them more successful. It will run until March 31st,  2012.