Active and sports tourism: facilities, equipment, and destinations that are transforming the territory

Madrid, June 12, 2025

Active and sports tourism is one of the key levers for the sustainable development of many territories in Spain. Beyond traditional tourism, this segment combines nature, health, technology, and physical activity, generating a positive impact on both the local economy and people's quality of life. SPORTCITIES was created to boost the power of active cities and destinations as a driver of transformation, through an ecosystem that connects companies, institutions, and innovative projects.

The rise of sports tourism in Spain

According to the latest data from Turespaña and the INE (National Institute of Statistics and Census), sports tourism now represents more than 4 million visitors per year in Spain, with an average spending per tourist higher than that of conventional tourism. The combination of unique experiences, quality natural spaces, and a growing range of facilities and services makes our country a European benchmark in this category.

Valencian Community: Leadership in Sport-Friendly Destinations

The Valencian Community is currently one of the most active regions in the development of sports tourism. With a clear strategy of deseasonalization and diversification of the tourism product, it has managed to position itself as a leading destination in cycling, triathlon, hiking, running, and water sports.

Castellón Cycling, for example, is one of the most notable initiatives, which has turned the province into a magnet for European cycle tourists. Municipalities such as Morella and Benicàssim have developed specific infrastructure, smart signage, and adapted services to attract this type of visitor.

On the Costa Blanca, La Nucía, recognized as a European City of Sport, is an exemplary case of sustained investment in high-level sports facilities, many of them outdoors, which attract both amateur athletes and international federations for training and training camps.

In addition, companies like Tururac, specializing in guided experiences and nature sports equipment rentals, are professionalizing the tourism offering in settings such as the Montgó Natural Park and the Serpis River, with models that can be replicated elsewhere in Spain.

Castilla y León: facilities serving active tourism

In Castilla y León, the commitment to sports tourism translates into a growing network of modern facilities, multifunctional spaces, and sports-related events that drive local development.

Soria stands out for its high-altitude sports city model, which combines high-performance centers with marked natural routes, highly valued by athletes and teams seeking specific training. The CAEP (Center for High-Level Training and Sports Promotion) is a benchmark in this regard.

In Valladolid, the City of Valladolid Sports Complex (Esgueva River) regularly hosts national rallies and competitions, while adapting to public demand with open and accessible facilities.

León and Burgos have renovated old urban spaces to transform them into outdoor sports centers, integrating calisthenics areas, bio-health parks, and urban running circuits with signage and digital connectivity.

Local companies such as Equipamientos Deportivos Deu and Agorasport have contributed to the design and installation of sports equipment adapted to urban and rural environments, thus facilitating a more sustainable and decentralized tourism model.

Facilities and equipment: key to the experience

A sports-friendly experience cannot be conceived without safe, modern facilities adapted to the environment. In this sense, equipment manufacturers such as Kompan, specializing in outdoor bio-health parks and calisthenics circuits, or Play and Train, with inclusive projects for adapted sports, are key allies in transforming public spaces into active and accessible environments.

There is also growing demand for technological solutions for route management, facility reservations, and activity tracking. Companies like Trail 2 Challenge, which digitizes gamified sports tourism experiences, or Geograma, which specializes in smart mapping and signage, are at the forefront of this transformation.

SPORTCITIES: Connecting Sports Tourism Players

SPORTCITIES seeks to be a meeting and collaboration space for all the stakeholders that make this development model possible: manufacturers, facility designers, experience providers, destinations, sport-friendly accommodations, and technology developers will find in SPORTCITIES the bridge between innovation and the region, with the aim of supporting the creation of more active, healthy, and sustainable cities and rural environments.