When Brits fancy a short break, Tenerife, it seems, is often top of their list and with its year-round promise of sunshine, and short flight times, it's perhaps not too surprising.

In fact, the island took first place in a poll of UK travel agents, for a survey by travel industry magazine Short Breaks and Holidays. Tenerife was the short getaway destination of choice for groups of friends and families, and an award in recognition was presented to the island's tourism authorities at the 2007 World Travel Market in London.

According to the island's government statistics, since year 2000 numbers of visitors have grown from 4.7 million to 5.45 million this year, these last two years seeing the biggest increases. Almost 2 million Tenerife tourists are from the UK.

Growth of tourism has transformed the island but not hidden its considerable charms. Its 2,034 square metres cover a wide variety of climates and terrains with a wealth of ecosystems; the whole dominated by Spain's highest point, the Pico del Teide, standing at 3,718 metres.

Beach tourists, as well as those more interested in culture, history and art, are not disappointed when they visit the island, while accommodations, entertainment venues and shopping centres tend increasingly toward the luxurious and modern.

It's no accident that Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels, with more than 50,000 mostly British members and 22 resorts in Europe, has focused attention on the island establishing four quality resorts, close to the vibrant holiday centre of Playa Las Americas in three cases and the top-class golfing area of Golf del Sur in the fourth.

These resorts, like the island, receive many, many repeat visitors. They are attracted by the year-round climate and short, cheap and plentiful flights from many airports in the UK, for sure, but also by the guaranteed quality of Club La Costa resorts and the high levels of service they receive. Often, according to Club La Costa Standards Controller Daniel Li, they say: "It's like coming home with all the friendly and familiar faces" and that they are delighted, if surprised, at the way waiters and reception staff "even remember our names".

Club La Costa acquired Sunningdale Village resort in Golf del Sur, plus adjoining land for development, in 2001 and went on to acquire its other resorts on the island in 2003. It currently has 376 apartments on Tenerife and this year arranged holidays at its resorts there for more than 54,000 people.