Spain is seeking ways to overcome the traditional dependence of its tourism sector on the summer months, holidays, and long weekends. One potential solution is the development of active outdoor tourism, which can ensure a steady inflow of travelers throughout the year, support the local economy, and create permanent jobs. This trend is attracting new players to the country, such as the Italian platform Freedome, which began operations in Spain in 2025.
The problem of seasonality leads to overcrowding in popular destinations during peak season and long periods of stagnation for the rest of the year, which negatively impacts business stability and employment. A 2024 study conducted in Italy indicates that active tourism can change this dynamic. According to the data, over 60% of outdoor activity enthusiasts participate both in peak and off-peak seasons. Only a quarter of those surveyed focus their trips on peak months such as July and August.
Moreover, this type of leisure encourages the discovery of new, lesser-known destinations. More than half of the study participants visited one or two new places through active tourism. Supporting local businesses is also an important factor: over 76% of tourists prefer small local operators to large chains, and more than 82% value the use of local products.
The economic benefits of developing active tourism extend beyond merely leveling out seasonal fluctuations. It has a multiplier effect on regional economies. About 63% of travelers combine active recreation with gastronomic or cultural events, generating income for restaurants, hotels, and artisans. This also encourages local-level collaboration. In Italy, nearly 74% of operators have found new partners through participation in such projects, expanding the professional network within the sector.
Representatives of Freedome note that active tourism fosters a more sustainable and authentic travel model, providing economic stability for regions. In their view, Spain, with its diverse landscapes and climate zones, holds great potential for implementing this approach, allowing year-round events. Based on the experience in Italy, where the platform’s activities generated an economic impact exceeding 15 million euros through tourists’ related spending, the company expects comparable results in Spain.
Spain already offers a wide range of activities year-round. Examples include family horseback riding in Pinto (Madrid), coasteering along the cliffs of Villajoyosa (Alicante), paragliding in Alarilla (Guadalajara), or climbing the equipped Vía Ferrata Roca de la Creu route in the Pyrenees. Rafting through the Almadenes canyon (Murcia) with cave visits is becoming an excellent alternative to crowded beach vacations.
The development of active tourism is also an effective tool in tackling excessive tourist pressure, or ‘overtourism.’ This issue is already on the agenda in many Spanish cities. For instance, Toledo has limited tourist group sizes to 30 people and banned the use of megaphones, while in San Sebastián the limit is set at 25. On the Cíes Islands in Galicia, strict visitor quotas have been in place for many years to protect the ecosystem. Active tourism helps redirect travelers to rural and lesser-known areas, reducing the strain on popular urban centers and fostering a more balanced and competitive tourism model.
