hotel bed deficit
Joaquín Buitrago Marhuenda, a lawyer by trade and since 2019 the president of Elche CF, participated in the May gathering of the independent civic platform Elche Piensa, held at the Hotel Port Jardín Milenio. The meeting centered on how the city’s premier sports organization can act as a tourism engine by aligning with the platform’s priority working axes. The discussion underscored sport as a vehicle for economic and cultural vitality in Elche. — Elche Piensa
Buitrago announced the formation of a dedicated LaLiga sports tourism department. This initiative aims not only to facilitate travel and lodging for fans but also to deliver a more comprehensive service package that includes gastronomy, activities, and practical information about the attractions of each visited city. He noted that the LaLiga and Elche teams, alongside Mayor Carlos González and Carlos Mazón, president of Diputación, began exploring how institutions can support fan club federations that organize these trips. The goal is to advance a sustainable model that benefits visitors and the local economy, with results anticipated soon. — Elche Piensa
hotel bed deficit
Yet the current conditions are not ideal. The city faces a shortage of hotel beds and a lack of appealing recreational and cultural offerings for visitors. Buitrago highlighted plans to position Martínez Valero stadium as a tourist destination. The project envisions guided tours of the stadium and its facilities, making it an attractive anchor for visitors. Planned renovations include improvements to cover the stadium to address sun exposure and seasonal weather, with opportunities to develop surrounding spaces as part of a broader tourism strategy. — Elche Piensa
In discussing the travel model, Buitrago emphasized that adopting an American-style approach means visitors could experience several hours of activities beyond a single match. The concept envisions guests staying for at least one full day, potentially extending their visit for multiple experiences around the city. He noted that Elche stands out as a reference point for attracting tourism to the area, while acknowledging organizational challenges linked to not knowing match dates until a few weeks in advance. — Elche Piensa
Hotels in Elche continue to recover, reaching 61.7% occupancy in January
M. Alarcon
Desolate panorama in the environment
During the meeting, Buitrago described the stadium’s surroundings as having a gloomy appearance. Shopping areas and other facilities were described as underutilized, with land being used largely as parking and without a clear urban solution in sight. He stressed that the club remains committed to finding ways to open the stadium to non-sporting activities and to developing a broader sports city project. The aim is to bring life to the area beyond matchdays and to create a vibrant, year-round destination. — Elche Piensa
At the meeting, Buitrago was asked to open channels for collaboration with other local clubs in Elche, reinforcing the city’s status as the main sports hub. The call was for ongoing projects of common interest that would benefit the wider community while supporting Elche CF as the anchor institution. — Elche Piensa
priority axes
Ester Martínez, president of Elche Piensa, explained that sports tourism and its indirect benefits intersect with cultural, environmental, and gastronomic initiatives. She framed these elements as one of the platform’s core strategic areas and highlighted the potential for Elche to leverage local talent and partnerships to strengthen tourism. The team on the platform expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Elche on these initiatives. — Elche Piensa
The discussion did not shy away from real-world challenges, including the season’s Centenary campaign and Elche’s aspiration to return to the top flight in 2024. The president affirmed a commitment to redouble efforts and dedicate resources to make that objective a reality, reflecting the club’s broader ambition to contribute to the city’s renewed tourism appeal. — Elche Piensa
In sum, the meeting positioned Elche Piensa and Elche CF as a collaborative force for developing a sustainable, multifaceted tourism strategy. The emphasis was on leveraging sports, culture, and local heritage to attract visitors, extend their stays, and strengthen the city’s economy—while coordinating with municipal leaders and regional authorities to address logistical hurdles. — Elche Piensa