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Home / News / Announcements / Historic Tenerife Town Aims for Prestigious Title
Published: Wed 20 Mar 2013 at 15:34
Updated: Wed 20 Mar 2013 at 15:35
The dramatic peak of Mount Teide is the first thing holidaymakers on cheap flights to Tenerife see as they approach the island, and one of the first things they head for once they land, which is probably why the council is looking to emphasise its surrounding areas’ status as a tourism hotspot.
Beneath this slumbering volcanic giant lies the beautiful village of La Orotava, whose concentration of heritage buildings, grouped around a lively commercial centre, attracts almost half a million tourists a year. In view of this – and the town’s close proximity to Teide National Park – the town council is hoping to have La Orotava’s historic centre declared an ‘Area of Abundant Tourist Interest’.
If passed, the decision will have major benefits for local businesses; for example, they will now be able to open on bank holidays and certain Sundays, which it is hoped will encourage competitiveness among small to medium businesses and boost the local economy.
Nestling in a lush river valley, La Orotava was once home to the island’s wealthy elite, who made their fortunes from sugar and grape vines. Today, the rural economy is sustained by bananas, while tourists throng the town to admire aristocratic old mansions like the Casa de los Balcones or Casa Méndez-Fonseca. Stunning Renaissance churches, tranquil convent gardens and a good selection of sophisticated shops and restaurants complete the vision of aristocratic elegance.
All in all, La Orotava is the perfect choice for the discerning holidaymaker who wants to combine a culturally rich atmosphere with stunning scenery and cheap flights to Tenerife via Jet2.com can make this a reality.
