Santa Pola promotes active tourism at Dutch cycling fair

THE SANTA POLA Town Council’s Department of Tourism participated, over the weekend of February 13, 14, and 15, in the Fiets in Wandelbeurs fair held in Utrecht, Netherlands, an international event focused on active tourism. The fair specialises in proposals for cycling, hiking and general sports tourism, and the municipality’s presence shone within the Costa Blanca Tourism category, strengthening Santa Pola’s image among Dutch audiences.

Santa Pola’s eyes on the Dutch

This focus on the Dutch market reflects an overarching focus on the importance of international tourism in Santa Pola; according to data from the Tourist Offices, in 2024, visitors from the Netherlands represented 7.17 per cent of the total number of international visitors, obtaining the fifth position in foreign markets. In 2025, the figure grew even more significant, reaching 9.71 per cent and climbing to the third position.

Dutch visitors to Santa Pola particularly value outdoor activities and experiences in nature, which is perfectly in line with the municipality’s tourism strategy, focused on active and sustainable tourism, as well as the enhancement of the area’s cultural and natural heritage. As it stands, the Costa Blanca South area is widely known for its sports tourism, boasting some of the most desirable and recognised hiking trails in Spain.

Fiets en Wandelbeurs, a fair for cycling and hiking enthusiasts from the Netherlands and beyond

The Fiets en Wandelbeurs, which can be translated to Cycling and Hiking Fair, has been Europe’s leading event for hobbyists, especially those in the Dutch market, for two decades. The event includes the setup of a large indoor bike track, new information about the hiking and cycling markets, engaging lectures, and a wide range of new destinations to visit, popular routes, and cutting edge gear and accessories.

The two editions of the event, one held in Utrecht, Netherlands and the other in Ghent, Belgium, amass crowds of some 40,000 excited cycling and hiking enthusiasts … and Santa Pola was a major topic of conversation among Dutch travellers eager to try out the Costa Blanca trails.