It's well known as an ideal winter holiday island for those who like to get away from Northern Europe to some warm weather and sunshine in the dark and cold months either side of the New Year, but Tenerife is more than just that as recent figures show that it's very firmly on the map for tourists year round.

And not only is it attracting tourists year round, it's managing to increase her visitor numbers while other popular holiday destinations see theirs fall.

Overall in Europe - though not worldwide - the number of people taking holidays is declining due to the current economic circumstances and reduced disposable household income.

In late 2011 Thomas Cook - one of the best known holiday firms in the world - saw their share price plunge as it approached its bankers for further funding - a sure sign that the holidays industry overall is experiencing difficult times.

Which makes it even more surprising that the number of people looking at a Tenerife map when deciding where to take their week or two away in the last year has increased, with visitor numbers in 2012 expected to be good as well.

Part of the increase can be put down to the political map, where there has been civil unrest in countries like Egypt tourists have moved away from there to what is deemed safer places like Tenerife.

But the appeal of Tenerife is much more than safety.

A combination of factors makes it the ideal location for families and couples alike, and while familiarity in the travel industry can be a good thing, there's new things too that add to the island's appeal.

Take out a Tenerife map and it soon bcomes apparent that it's ideal for activity holidays, an important niche sector of the travel market. Hiking and biking are two examples.

For those who like the outdoor environment few places offer such a diverse landscape while walking and hiking that Tenerife does. The best known mountain - which is actually a volcano - is Mount Teide, but there are others which aren't quite as high and offer an easier hiking experience, Montana Blanca and Guajara are two examples.

Cycling is another outdoor activity that is ideally suited to Tenerife, with a great mix of terrain to choose from, and exploring the island at your own pace is for many the ideal way to explore, with time to enjoy villages that many tourists don't get near on package holidays.

Whether you like your holidays to be relaxed or active, Tenerife offers both and don't be surprised if visitor numbers are up again in 2012.