The Rise of La Oliva: How Sports are Driving Growth

La Oliva is fast becoming a global hotspot for sports tourism, transforming its natural wealth into a magnet for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Located in Fuerteventura, this municipality boasts stunning beaches perfect for kitesurfing, wingfoiling, and paddle surfing, alongside breathtaking volcanic landscapes ideal for trail running and cycling. This combination has positioned La Oliva as a sought-after destination for both national and international athletes.

Strategic Vision by Gleiber Carreño

Under the guidance of Gleiber Carreño, the City Council’s Sports Department has set forth a strategy that intertwines infrastructure improvements, high-level event organization, and robust international promotion. La Oliva made a notable debut at FITUR Sports, reflecting its ambitious growth objectives. Carreño emphasizes, “La Oliva has the natural resources, infrastructure, and events to market itself globally.”

Consolidated and Sustainable Events

Looking ahead to 2025, La Oliva is set to host six major sporting events aimed at enhancing quality and attracting more international competitors. Key events include:

• Fuertebike (12th edition)
• Travesía a Nado Isla de Lobos-Fuerteventura (300 swimmers in open waters this October)
• Baifo Extreme (celebrating its 10th edition)
• Marathón Dany Sport, held in December within the Corralejo Natural Park where temperatures hover around 20°C, giving it a competitive edge over many European destinations.

Each event not only showcases La Oliva as a sustainable sports destination but also strengthens its tourism connection. Carreño states, “We bet on the triangle of tourism, sports, and the environment. Each event carries a sustainable vision, responsibly utilizing our natural wealth.” The growing number of participants and heightened interest in each event underscore this successful strategy.

2025 Sporting Event Calendar

• September 14 – Baifo Extreme (OCR Race, 10th Anniversary)
• September 20 – Dolores Night Trail (Night Race)
• September 27 – Fuertebike (12th Edition, MTB)
• September 27-28 – Malpey Fuerteventura Games (Cross-training)
• November 2 – 35th La Oliva Rally
• October 19 – 26th Travesía a Nado Isla de Lobos – Fuerteventura
• November 22 – Las Calderas Trail (Trail Running)
• December 13 – Marathon Dany Sport (3rd Edition)

Additionally, the municipality will host the Paladeo Gastronomic Fair from May 7 to 11, merging sports with local culture.

Growing Sports Infrastructure

La Oliva continues to build on its natural advantages with a network of evolving sports facilities. Significant investments have led to the establishment of:

• An Olympic swimming pool
• A natural grass athletics track
• Five 11-a-side football fields
• Skate parks
• A bouldering wall and an obstacle course (OCR)

The municipality has also made strides in sustainability, with solar panels installed in various venues, further enhancing its appeal.

“We want our municipality to be a top-tier sports destination, not just in Spain, but across Europe,” asserts Carreño.

A Successful Model in the Canaries

The Sports Department’s efforts have fostered a model that seamlessly integrates tourism promotion with local sports development. Attracting federations and events during strategic seasons, such as the swim event in October when many European waters are too cold, has proven essential to this development strategy.

La Oliva is on a resolute path to establishing itself as a benchmark in sports tourism. With a dynamic sporting calendar and a clearly defined strategy, it stands poised to ascend as a premier destination for sports enthusiasts globally.

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