In many parts of Europe and the rest of the world, the economy is slow. It is considerably more sluggish than just a year ago. Many people have stopped making 'luxury' purchases and taking vacations in an attempt to save money. Knowing that, Spanish officials predicted a less-than-impressive tourist season on Tenerife.

They couldn't have been more wrong. The 2008 tourist trade on Tenerife rose a whopping 21.07 percent from last year's high season, taking everyone by surprise. Many financial experts say that Spain is on the brink of a recession, so a strong tourist turnout on Tenerife was highly unexpected.

Part of the reason that Tenerife tourism is improving is due to Spaniards staying closer to home. Because of their concerns about the economy, many Spanish families are choosing to visit the nearby Canary Islands, including Tenerife, rather than traveling very far.

This desire to stay close to home isn't the only factor affecting Tenerife's tourism trade. The number of foreign visitors also rose over 14 percent during the same time period. Based on these numbers midway through the season, Tenerife is expected to have an even better overall tourist season than last year.

What is it that draws people from Spain and from around the world to Tenerife? The beautiful island is known for its ideal weather, outstanding resorts and the wealth of activities available. If you are an avid golfer, you'll find no shortage of courses to keep you busy on the island. The year-round sunshine and warm weather mean that there is never a bad day to hit the course.

Diving is another highly popular activity that provides tourists with adventure and fun. Diving schools are situated all over the island to teach novices, while diving excursions for more experienced divers are also easy to find. The unique and diverse underwater life surrounding Tenerife will not disappoint divers, whether new or experienced.

Visitors may also come to Tenerife for the high-quality accommodations. A law was passed by the Canarian government prohibiting the construction of any new resort under five-star quality. Even proposed five-star resorts have to incorporate other services, such as golf courses. Knowing that the accommodations will always be excellent is a big driving force behind Tenerife tourism. Visitors don't have to worry about ending up in a tiny, dank hotel room.

Many visitors to Tenerife stick to the most popular and well-known resort towns. However, if you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path, there are plenty of smaller towns that can make your Tenerife vacation truly memorable.

Icod de los Vinos (just Icod to the locals) is Tenerife's premier wine-growing region. Daily life in Icod moves at a more relaxed pace than some other places on the island. If you visit Icod, be sure to visit the Dragon Tree that the locals say is thousands of years old. The beautiful Playa San Marcos with its inviting black sand can be found nearby.

La Laguna is a great city for those who enjoy art and architecture. The Cathedral and museum there date back to 1515, and there are many breathtaking churches to explore. The city was once the capital of the island and still bears the regal air of an important place.

Los Gigantes is a city at the foot of massive cliffs which are also named Los Gigantes. The picturesque marina offers boat trips for dolphin and whale watching, while the city center features many bars, restaurants and shopping destinations.