More than 1,500 people gathered on Alicante’s waterfront for one of the province’s most inspiring inclusive sporting events, demonstrating how accessibility and participation can open the door to new experiences for people of all abilities. La Mar Solidaria continues to grow in both size and impact, bringing together participants, volunteers and organisations with a shared goal of making water sports accessible to everyone.

Breaking down barriers through sport

More than 1,500 people came together in Alicante for the eighth edition of La Mar Solidaria, an annual event aimed at making water sports accessible to people with disabilities.

The initiative welcomed more than 300 participants with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities, supported by volunteers, family members, sports clubs and local organisations.

Held along Alicante’s waterfront on June 1, the event offered opportunities to take part in activities including sailing, paddle surfing, swimming and adapted diving. Specialist equipment and trained instructors ensured that participants could enjoy the sea safely, regardless of their individual needs.

Organisers said the event was designed to remove barriers and encourage greater inclusion in sport and leisure activities. Many participants were experiencing some of the activities for the first time.

For many attendees, the event represented far more than a day of sport. It provided an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy experiences that can often be difficult to access without specialist support and equipment.

Community support at the heart of the event

Volunteers played a key role throughout the day, assisting with logistics, providing support on the water and helping participants move between activities. Families and supporters were also able to join in and watch demonstrations.

The event has grown steadily since it was first launched and is now one of the largest inclusive sporting gatherings in the province. Representatives from disability associations, local authorities and maritime organisations attended to show their support.

Organisers highlighted the importance of raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the need to ensure recreational activities are open to everyone.

Looking ahead to an even bigger future

The success of this year’s event has already prompted plans for an even larger gathering next year.

As interest continues to grow, organisers hope La Mar Solidaria will inspire other communities to develop similar initiatives, helping to create more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in sport, recreation and community life while enjoying the many benefits that outdoor activities can provide.

The Costa Blanca continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations, with record-breaking visitor spending and new international flight routes helping drive growth across the region. The latest tourism figures reveal a landmark month for the local economy, while Alicante-Elche Airport has expanded its global reach with the launch of a brand-new connection to Armenia.

Record-breaking visitor spending

The Costa Blanca has reached a major tourism milestone, with international visitors spending more than €1 billion in a single spring month for the first time in history.

New figures show foreign tourists spent an estimated €1.024 billion across the Costa Blanca during April, underlining the region’s growing success in attracting visitors well beyond the traditional summer season.

The record-breaking figure represents a 16 per cent increase on the same month last year and highlights how the Costa Blanca is increasingly becoming a year-round destination rather than simply a summer hotspot.

More than 900,000 international visitors are estimated to have travelled to the Costa Blanca during April, helped by Easter holidays, strong flight connections and growing demand from key European markets.

The latest figures suggest the region is on course for one of its strongest tourism years ever, with foreign visitor spending already running well ahead of previous records.

One of the Costa Blanca’s biggest advantages continues to be the length of time tourists spend in the region. Visitors stay an average of more than nine days, one of the highest figures anywhere in Spain, helping to generate significant income for local businesses, restaurants, shops and attractions.

The region also benefits from a large number of second-home owners who return throughout the year.

New route opens links with Armenia

A brand-new direct flight route linking Alicante with the Armenian capital of Yerevan is now up and running.

The new service, operated by FlyOne Armenia, officially launched on 4 June and immediately became the longest direct route ever offered from Alicante-Elche Airport. Covering approximately 3,800 kilometres, it overtakes Reykjavik in Iceland, which previously held the record at around 3,200 kilometres.

The route also marks a significant milestone for the airport, creating the first-ever direct air link between Alicante and Armenia.

The inaugural flight from Yerevan arrived on the Costa Blanca on Thursday evening, 4 June, while the first outbound service departed shortly afterwards, opening up a completely new destination for travellers from the region.

Flight times are expected to be around four hours and 40 minutes from Yerevan to Alicante, with the return journey taking approximately five and a half hours.

The new connection strengthens Alicante’s growing links with Eastern Europe and makes the airport only the second in Spain, after Barcelona, to offer direct flights to Armenia.

Strong outlook for tourism growth

The combination of rising visitor numbers, record levels of tourist spending and expanding international connectivity paints an encouraging picture for the Costa Blanca’s tourism sector.

Improved air links continue to play a vital role in attracting new visitors and opening up emerging markets, while the region’s climate, beaches, gastronomy and growing range of attractions help encourage longer stays and repeat visits.

With international spending continuing to rise and visitor numbers remaining strong, the Costa Blanca’s push towards year-round tourism appears to be paying off. As the summer season gathers pace, local businesses will be hoping these positive trends continue, helping make 2025 one of the most successful years on record for tourism across the region.

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