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.

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.

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.