The Balearic Island of Menorca has unveiled its new tourism strategy, ?Menorca, an island for sport?.
It aims to capitalise on the island?s natural resources and sports facilities, as well as an increasing worldwide demand for sports tourism.
At a presentation in London, Maite Salord, Menorca?s tourism minister, joined Joan Febrer from Menorca?s Sports Association and Matias Ximelis from Menorca-based organisation ?Cycling Friendly,? to outline the island?s new strategy.
Sports tourism has seen a steady growth in demand over the past few years and it currently represents 25% of the total tourism income worldwide, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. In 2017, 10.6 million people travelled to Spain for sports tourism (+5.9%), spending over ?12.8 million, marking an 8.9% year-on-year increase in tourism expenditure.
For Menorca, the sports tourism opportunities stretch beyond just spending power as sports tourists typically travel outside of the main summer season.
It is competitive as a sport destination for many reasons: the environment is well preserved; there are over 300 days of sunshine a year; the coastline is 220km long; the ancient path which circles the island, the Cam? de Cavalls, offers unparalleled opportunities for cyclists, walkers, horse-riders and trail-runners.
A wide range of sport competitions are held every year such as marathons, trail running, cycle races and sail regattas, all contributing to a premium sports calendar. For 2019, the calendar will be expanded with the addition of a major event, the World Padel Tour championships which will take place from October 20 to 27, 2019.
Other significant events include the Lighthouse Trail Run, Epic Trail Cam? de Cavalls 360?, Fornells Half Marathon, MECUP (International Youth Football Tournament for the Menorca Cup), Trail Menorca Cam? de Cavalls, the Classic Ships Regatta Copa del Rey, Artiem Half Menorca Triathlon, XVII International Cycling Tour of Menorca, mountain-bike tour BTT Menorca, Menorca Half Marathon, TP 52 Super Series regatta and the 10/5 miles city of Mah?n race.
