The ExCel Centre in Docklands threw open its doors at 11.30 this morning, November 10th, and over the next four days some 50,000 visitors from the travel industry will come to be impressed at stands, seminars and conferences. The Canary Islands stand is pretty imposing, taking up 697 square metres and presenting the sunshine smile that will remind the movers and shakers just how special these islands are.

There was a sizeable pre event nudge to Londoners on Saturday with a major sponsorship of the Arsenal v Manchester United game at the Emirates Stadium. This was the first part of a three pronged promotion called “Los Tres Estadios de la Felicidad” that will continue with a similar promotion at the Bernabeu Stadium for Real Madrid v Athletico Madrid game in March 2009 and another at the Allianz Stadium a little later for a Bayern Munich home game, yet to be decided. I’m always told how popular football is, but I was amazed to find that 202 countries and a potential audience of 500 million people will have seen that Arsenal game with its prominent pitch side hoardings for the Canary Islands.

Back at the World Travel Market, it will be a busy week and the Canary Islands can stand proud and set the trend for the next year in the travel industry. The Worlds media will be taking a keen interest so this really is one of the best shop windows around.

 I had the pleasure of seeing the new Carmen Mota production Airam at the Mare Nostrum Resort last weekwith my daughter Lia (pic), it’s another triumph, and it will be wowing audiences through into next year. It’s inspired by Victor Victoria, the musical comedy that became a hit film, made by Blake Edwards and starring his wife Julie Andrews. The main character is a female singer and dancer who discovers that the only way to get some decent roles is to pretend to be a man, hence Victor Victoria, or in this case Airam Maria. Mix in some flamenco, great music and a lavish set, and you have a hit on your hands.

Airam tickets are 36 euros (27  residents) for adults until the end of October, then they rise to 39 euros (29.25 residents). For 13 to 17 year olds tickets are half price and shows are on Monday and Wednesday at 8pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9pm and Friday at 10 pm. Get your tickets from the box office or online at www.airam-musical.com.

I’m chomping at the bit to get up to the Guimera Theatre in Santa Cruz to see Celia, a musical about the life and music of Celia Cruz, the legendary Cuban singer and Queen of salsa. The larger than life singer has always been an icon to the Carnaval crowd in Santa Cruz and her trade mark cry of “Azucar” lives on with the legend.

The Guimera theatre is an amazingly ornate and stylish building inside, easily identified by the large sculpture of a theatrical mask outside, it’s also a stop on the tram route. Celia runs until October 26, so get in there soon, tickets range from 62 euros to 33 euros and are on sale from the box office, www.santacruzmas.com , El Corte Ingles or Carrefour.

With Teatro Leal in La Laguna now restored and offering a mixed programme, plus the ever popular Santa Cruz auditorium, I’ve never had so much live entertainment to feast on, see you at a show.

It must send a great message to the British public, as they consider where to take their next holidays. The travel industry is feeling the pinch like everyone else, but recent surveys have shown that Brits feel they need their break in the sun more than ever, and will economise in other areas rather than lock the sandals and sun cream away for another year.

This years ABTA conference was held in the Maspalomas Conference Centre in Meloneras, within a seagull’s cry of the beach, and attracted 1,200 delegates. Financial problems were high on the agenda but green issues were also in everyones thoughts, with a word or 2 in their collective ears from Prince Charles. The Prince appeared by video link to stress the dangers of intrusive tourism and the need to be environmentally aware when selling holidays. Don’t worry Charles, it’s a message we are already responding to here in Tenerife.

The Tenerife Champions Cup was a real eye opener for me, a FREE show in Costa Adeje and for many people the first chance to get a glimpse of our newest tourist attraction Siam Park. Having been lucky enough to attend the gala opening night of Siam Park, I had been impressed at the crescent shaped imported beach in front of the Wave Palace but as the tour stopped there for the speeches and fireworks, we didn’t have much inkling of the amphitheatre above that was to stage the volleyball.

From the pre tournament press conference, it became clear what an exciting new venue this could be, high up and with great views over the park and out to the Atlantic. The large stone blocks that make up the tiered seating lead up to the imposing and colourful temple guards watching over us. My mind was already racing at the prospect of music concerts and theatre events in this unique setting.

As for the beach volleyball games, the 8 male pairs gave it their all and I soon became gripped by the skills on show. The television and other media present lapped up the showmanship of loud music and cheerleaders during the breaks and the crowds grew in size and volume as the grand final loomed on Sunday afternoon. A home win for Spain would have been the icing on the cake but everyone rose to applaud the power and skill of the German winners Jonas Reckermann and Misha Urbatzka.

The army of sponsors realised they were on to a winner, and even as everyone was tucking into the paella at the after final party, it was announced that the Tenerife Champions Cup is here to stay until at least 2012, book me a front row seat.

Suitably spruced up, I joined a bustling throng of movers and shakers from business and politics across Tenerife, outside the imposing twin towers as we waited for Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand to arrive. I could see I wasn’t alone in my child like eagerness to get inside, and once the Princess cut the floral ribbon, we were off like a very polite and reserved wave.

Director Christoph Kiessling looked a little tense and nervous, well I suppose you could liken him to an expectant father, the park is very much his baby.  As we moved round the 14 rides and attractions of the Water Kingdom, I’m sure I could detect his nerves turn to pride, and who could blame him, it’s a visual triumph and makes full use of all 185,000 square metres of space. Everything is on a grand scale, but it was the little touches that impressed me almost as much, the way the framework of the rides is hidden by natural plants and flowers, the attentiveness of the lifeguards at the splash pools and the ornate eastern carvings on all the buildings.

I had to fight the urge to slip off my stilettos, grab an inflatable ring and zoom down one of the slides, giggling like a teenager – I may well sneak back and do that another time. Luckily some keen young locals showed us the quickest way up, and down on the bigger, more challenging rides, just watching made my blood pump. The crowd slowly headed round to the imported beach, another assault on the senses, the wave pool stretching out ahead and the flaming torches burning as we took our seats to hear the speeches from Christoph and the gathered dignitaries.

The kid in me kept thinking of all the fun I could have on the rides, but at the same time, the business side of my brain was weighing up all the gallons of good publicity the park will generate for Tenerife. definitely a winner.

Thankfully we are well served for transport between the islands, for the nearer islands, or when time isn’t a pressing matter, there are the ferries of Fred Olsen or Naviera Armas. Sometimes it’s good to hit the ocean and remind myself that Tenerife is so dependent on the sea, and it’s good fun to feel the motion of the waves.

Sadly time is often short, but that is where the 2 inter island air services come to the fore, and the views from above as I travel over volcanoes and ravines are another reminder of the natural wonders that the Canary Islands have to offer. Binter and Islas Airways both run frequent and comfortable flights that shrink the islands to mere stepping stones.  

It was interesting to see recently that when Islas Airways added a new plane to their fleet, a ATR-72 I’m reliably told, they had a baptism for it at Lanzarote airport, with water sprayed by the industrial cleaning hoses and a full blessing from a member of the church. Who says there is no room for sentiment in business.

For such a small island, there is a lot going on, diversity is definately the key word. Sometimes things may seem to move slowly but that’s because it’s important to make sure that all the I’s are dotted and the T’s crossed before letting the cat out of the bag. Anyway it will be my pleasure to share some of my thoughts and experiences with you, even now after many years in Tenerife, I am still in awe of its beauty. I’m sure it will be good for me to reflect on events around the island, sometimes with being so close, it’s easy to take things for granted. Are you ready? then please step this way.