Calpe has been one of the destinations selected this year to host the ‘Travel Challenge’, an educational event in which 64 Dutch university students from the tourism sector have participated, allowing them to discover the culture, landscape and gastronomy of the municipality. The day was organised by the Foreign Tourist Office in The Hague (Turespaña), the Costa Blanca Tourist Board and Calpe Town Council.
The visit began at the Casa Nova with a working meeting focused on finding innovative solutions to reconcile the challenges of sustainability with tourism promotion. The group then moved on to the old town to enjoy a tasting of typical local dishes and ended the day with a visit to La Cometa.
This visit is part of a training programme that will visit other towns such as Benidorm and Alicante, so that future professionals in the Dutch tourism sector can get to know the Costa Blanca first-hand.
The Dutch market is a strategic market for tourism on the Costa Blanca, as in 2024 alone more than 1.5 million Dutch tourists arrived at Alicante airport, making it the second largest international market in terms of passenger volume.
In addition, Dutch tourists have high purchasing power and make multiple trips throughout the year, making them particularly interesting.
After its stop in Calpe, the “Travel Challenge 2025” will continue its tour until 6 June, visiting other towns with activities focused on innovation and digital promotion of the tourism sector. This year's edition aims to exceed the 1.3 million views on social media achieved by last year's edition in Fuerteventura.