The impact of sport tourism in the urban development of the main Spanish cities: a review of their sport and tourism policies

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to detect and analyze how sports tourism and strategic planning related to sport and tourism have contributed to the urban and territorial development of some Spanish cities such as Granada or Valencia, as well as to a well-known mature tourist destination such as Costa del Sol in the South of Spain. Urban and territorial implications caused by these touristic and sport developments are studied:the type of public spaces that promote the sport activities on the urban space, how sport activities influence the local and visitor population, or their impact on local economies. In order to reach this objective, the paper is divided into two sections: City and Sport vs. Tourism and Sport, and it stablishes a relationship between the three concepts: City, Tourism and Sports. In this way, the urban content of the Strategic Plans and Sports Policies in Spain is reviewed, and it focuses on the cases of Granada and Valencia as the result oftheir innovative sport planning policies. At the same time,the research focuses on the tourism policies and their territorial and urban involvement in the mature tourism destination ofCosta del Sol. The conclusions show a classification of urban spaces and natural coastal environments that promote the informal sport activities on the public outdoor space.