Top international padel figures gathered in Tenerife for a promotional exhibition match as part of the Pádel Travel Experience, showcasing the Canary Islands as a year-round sports destination.
Elite Padel Stars Converge in Puerto de la Cruz
The Pádel Travel Experience in Tenerife brought together some of the sport's most prominent names for an exhibition event at Club Las Arenas in Puerto de la Cruz on Saturday, Canarias Day. The gathering featured international padel stars Paquito Navarro, Mike Yanguas, Tamara Icardo, and Claudia Jensen, alongside local Canarian figures including Íñigo Jofre, Joel Fernández, Carla Mesa, and Ainhoa Navarro.
The 10:00 AM match served as more than competitive entertainment—it represented a strategic effort by Tenerife's tourism board to position the island as a premier destination for outdoor sports activities throughout the year. The event highlighted the region's natural advantages: exceptional climate, world-class facilities, and commitment to athletic excellence.
Tenerife's Sports Tourism Strategy
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Tourism Councilor, emphasized the broader significance of the event. "This event allows us to associate the island's image with values such as well-being, physical activity, privileged climate, and quality of life," Afonso stated, underscoring how padel has become central to Tenerife's sports tourism positioning.
The exhibition match demonstrated padel's growing role in attracting international visitors and establishing destinations as sports hubs. By featuring both established international competitors and emerging local talent, the event created a compelling narrative about Tenerife as a place where padel thrives year-round, attracting players and enthusiasts from across the globe.
Strengthening Padel's Global Reach
Events like the Pádel Travel Experience reflect padel's exponential growth as a spectator and participatory sport. The participation of accomplished players such as Paquito Navarro and the international contingent underscores how exhibitions have become valuable tools for promoting both the sport and host destinations. These matches generate visibility, inspire local communities, and reinforce the connection between padel excellence and tourism appeal.
For Tenerife, the investment in such events positions the island strategically within the expanding padel circuit, offering visitors and residents alike access to world-class competition while enjoying the region's natural and sporting infrastructure.
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The Padel Post editorial team covers professional padel worldwide — World Padel Tour, Premier Padel and beyond.