The Councillor for Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports, Pedro Bestard, reaffirms his commitment to “local sports tourism.”
The Consell de Mallorca has presented its 2025 sports tourism program in hotels and establishments across the island. Today, Councillor Pedro Bestard signed an agreement at the Blau Punta Reina hotel in Cala Mendia (Manacor) with ten hotel chains and youth hostels, where the institution will organize the “Estades Esportives” — sporting stays for families, youth, and now, for the first time, seniors.
The program will reach 9,400 participants throughout the year, one thousand more than the previous season. The big news is that 11% of the newly added places are exclusively offered to seniors, significantly expanding the offer for this demographic. “This group reaches retirement age in great shape,” Bestard stated.
The initiative also opens up the island’s refuges to various types of stays, such as the new “Nit d’estrelles” (Starry Night) program, an adventure format designed to bring children closer to the Serra de Tramuntana.
TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Mallorca Council Offers Over 9,000 Sports Tourism Spots, 11% Reserved Exclusively for Seniors for the First Time
The aim of the “Estades Esportives” is to promote sports activities for families, youth, and seniors, while also boosting local active tourism. “This is a format in which the Consell de Mallorca was a pioneer, laying the foundation for local sports tourism,” said Councillor Bestard. The 2025 calendar includes a projected 56 stays — 10 more than in 2024 — in towns such as Alcúdia, Artà, Calvià, Capdepera, Escorca, Manacor, Muro, and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar.
Launched in 2013, the program is now in its twelfth year. Since its inception, it has grown exponentially, reaching 40,000 participants. “The growth of supply has kept pace with demand. Starting with only 1,500 spots, we’ll now reach 9,400 in 2025: 6,000 in hotels, 2,000 in hostels and refuges, and 1,400 new places for seniors,” Bestard noted. He also emphasized the crucial role of collaborating establishments: “Mallorca has a hotel infrastructure that is both highly professional and incredibly welcoming.”
The event was also attended by Joan Francesc Rigo, board member of the FEHM (Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca) and president of the Cala d’Or Hotel Association. Rigo stressed the importance of public-private collaboration in initiatives like this, noting that “the hotel sector has long been offering sports-related packages that help extend the tourist season.”
The agreement was signed by representatives of the participating hotel groups:
- Margalida Alemany, Commercial Director at Azul Hoteles
- Petra Ferrer, Legal Representative of Garden Hotels
- Francisca Cuneo, Spain Commercial Coordinator for Iberostar
- Marc Estelrich, Owner of Hotel Na Taconera
- Christian Torralba, Director of Protur Hotels
- Yauheni Bely, Commercial Director at Viva Hotels & Resorts
- Mara Cano, Administrator of the Casal de la Colònia de Sant Pere
Sports Tourism and Seniors: A Strategic Focus for the Consell
The “Estades Esportives” program now consists of four key segments:
- Family sports
- Adventure sports
- Youth and children’s sports camps
- Senior sports, which now has its own distinct line of programming
Until last year, senior participants were part of the general adult program with 600 reserved spots. Now, due to growing demand and enthusiastic participation, the program will offer 1,000 dedicated spots for seniors.
The Consell de Mallorca is already planning a specific physical activity and wellness program for seniors, a group which, in Bestard’s words, “is not only our present and a great asset, but also highly sporty, motivated, and appreciative.”