No. 34 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

26
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 34
Tour operators and travel agencies are wowed by the wide
range of services catering for sports tourism in Gran Canaria
Representatives from eight of the main European
tour operators and travel agencies recently paid a
visit to Gran Canaria, where they were pleasantly
surprised by the wide range of sports tourism on
the island, as well as by the quality and variety of the
services provided. This familiarisation visit, which
was held as part of the Gran Canaria Maspalomas
Marathon organised annually by the company "DG
Eventos", was put together by the Gran Canaria Tri,
Bike & Run Association.
Participants in this so called fam trip included TUI
Holland, TUI Belgium, Ving (Scandinavia), Sports
Tours International (United Kingdom and France),
Terramia (Italy), Voyage Marathon (France), Worlds
Marathon (Sweden), Global Running (Germany)
and RunAgain (Netherlands). They were all able to
learn about the offer of companies specialising in
the organisation of sports events and activities associated
to Gran Canaria Tri, Bike & Run.
The Gran Canaria Maspalomas Marathon organised
a Sports and Tourism day as part of the planned
programme. The event was supported by Gran
Canaria Tri, Bike & Run, in which the guest agents
were given the opportunity to meet with tourist
representatives from the island, as well as to learn
about the services on offer for runners and athletes
in general, before being taken on a tour around
several of the accommodation establishments belonging
to the association.
Accommodation at Suites & Villas by Dunas
During their stay on the island, the members of the
fam trip stayed at the Suites & Villas by Dunas, a
spectacular hotel located next to the Special Natural
Reserve of the Maspalomas Dunes, which
boasts the Cycling Friendly Gold quality certification,
as well as being the official accommodation of
the Gran Canaria Bike Week cycling event.
The programme included a visit to the "Seaside
Palm Beach" hotel, where they were able to see the
accommodation and service infrastructure that
characterises one of the most emblematic beach
resorts in Gran Canaria, located just a few metres
from the sea and the Maspalomas dunes. While
there, they were treated to lunch in one of the restaurants
selected from its wide gastronomic range.
They were also able to relax for a few hours in the
Harmony Experience area of the "Gloria Palace
San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel", which has one of
the most modern and spacious thalassotherapy
centres in Europe, as well as a "Free Motion Bikecenter"
in the hotel's own facilities. Here they also
enjoyed an exquisite dinner on the Gorbea Terrace,
located on the top floor of the hotel, offering
spectacular sea views.
The programme also included a visit to the "Cordial
Santa Águeda Resort", whose facilities include
luxurious holiday homes in a prime location
overlooking the sea, a wide gastronomic offer, a
surf centre, a fully equipped gym and a Cycling
Suites & Villas by Dunas
Friendly bicycle workshop. Finally, they visited the
Perchel Beach Club, an ideal place designed for
the whole family where they were able to sit back
and enjoy the sun and the privileged views of the
Atlantic.
The reaction of the group was very positive indeed
following their stay on the island. In general, they
were all surprised by the wide range of hotels and
their varied infrastructures and quality services
catering for sportsmen and women, even those
who had already been to Gran Canaria. Finally, it
is worth mentioning that that many of the group
also took part in the marathon in Maspalomas,
which this year celebrated its third edition.
For more information and bookings, go to: grancanariatribikerun.com