Palma Beach Organizes Paddle Surf Tournament and Swimming Journey to Promote Sports Tourism

The destination brand reinforces its commitment to quality tourism with three key events: running, paddle surfing, and swimming.

Palma Beach has taken a further step in its commitment to sports and sustainable tourism by presenting its sports events proposal for the 2025 season to the Palma City Council. In a meeting with the General Director of Sports of the City of Palma, David Salom, the entity detailed an ambitious calendar that will include three major competitions in running, paddle surfing, and swimming.

These events not only promote an active and healthy lifestyle but also consolidate the image of Playa de Palma as a reference destination for sports tourism, attracting participants from all over Europe and boosting the local economy.

Mika Ferrer, president of Palma Beach, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Our goal is to continue transforming Playa de Palma into a space where sports and quality of life are the protagonists. We want both residents and visitors to enjoy top-level events that reinforce the image of Mallorca in general and Playa de Palma in particular, as a sports and sustainable destination.”

Regarding the events presented, it is noteworthy that the “Sup Crossing” paddle surf tournament will take place in June in a privileged setting, covering 5 km from Club Nàutic s’Arenal to Club Marítimo de Sant Antoni de la Playa. In August, the first edition of the Swim Crossing will take place, a 2.5-kilometer swimming journey between Ginger Beach restaurant and Can Pastilla beach, a route designed to highlight the quality and cleanliness of the water in the Bay of Palma. In October, the fifth edition of the Palma Beach Running Course will incorporate the Half Marathon for the first time, adding to the 10K and children's distances. This event has experienced exponential growth over the years, increasing from 245 registrations in its first edition to over 1,200 in 2019.

The impact of these events goes beyond sports competition. Palma Beach, which represents more than 500 tourism sector companies, is committed to the regeneration and revaluation of Playa de Palma as a quality destination. These sports meetings not only attract visitors but also seek to change the perception of the area, showcasing its evolution towards a more sustainable and family-friendly model.

“It is essential that we continue to promote events that elevate the level of the tourist offer in Playa de Palma,” explained Mika Ferrer. With initiatives like these, he added, “we ensure that the area is seen as a top-level destination and not just a transit location.”

With an estimated economic impact of 1.437 billion euros and a 3.16% share of the Balearic GDP, Palma Beach is one of the most influential initiatives in transforming tourism in Mallorca. Its focus on quality, safety, and sustainability has positioned Playa de Palma as a premium destination, far from its former image of mass tourism.

Following the trend of major cities that have turned their marathons into global tourist attractions, Palma Beach is betting on sports tourism as a growth engine. The diversification of its offer towards high-level events reinforces its international appeal, with a visitor demographic led by Germany (48.5%), Spain (13.2%), and the United Kingdom (4.3%).

The presentation of this calendar to the Palma City Council marks a milestone in consolidating Playa de Palma as a leading sports destination in the Mediterranean. With a focus on excellence and sustainability, Palma Beach continues to position itself as a key player in the evolution of tourism in Mallorca.