WORLD BEATER: Nerja makes global hotlist

NERJA has come fourth in TripAdvisor’s rankings of the continent’s best emerging tourist destinations.
And the coastal town also finished ninth worldwide in the website’s 2018 Travellers’ Choice rankings.
The awards reportedly measure year-on-year increases in positive reviews for accommodation, restaurants and attractions, alongside increases in searches and booking interests.
Listing its “Top Destinations on the Rise – Europe”, TripAdvisor rates Nerja first in Spain. It is only beaten in Europe by Rovinj, Croatia; Riga, Latvia; and Gdansk, Poland.
In eighth place, Cadiz was the only other Spanish city to finish in Europe top ten. Ishigaki, Japan, came first worldwide.
The American company – dubbed the world’s largest travel site – provide reviews for all aspects of travel. It has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years.
Describing the city in its top ten rundown, the website writes: “Positioned at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, Nerja boasts nearly 10 miles of powdery beaches featuring activities like water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Although tourist-oriented, it hasn’t been overtaken by high-rises, and its huge promenade delivers panoramic Mediterranean views.”
The company list the Balcon de Europa, Nerja caves and the RiverChillar as the top “things to do” in the Axarquia town, though tourists tend to flock to the palm-lined beaches.
In 2009, the 33 square mile community had a reported total population of 22,000. It is currently ranked as the 25th most popular destination in Spain by the website, but this latest recognition could increase its popularity.
The website does not list the same category for last year, but the awards have been running for a reported six years.
TripAdvisor has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months and faced accusations that their review system is easy to fool. A London prankster recently managed to get his garden shed to the top of the website’s rankings for the British capital’s restaurants.