Torrevieja is now the third largest city of the Alicante province after the city of the same name and Elche which are both about 30/45 minutes away from Torrevieja. Alicante is the capital of the province and will be the port of departure for the next three editions of the Volvo Ocean Race

The port of Alicante has been chosen to host the start of the Volvo Ocean Race at the next three editions, thanks to an agreement signed recently by the head of the Valencian Regional Government, Francisco Camps, and the competition organisers in Boston (USA). This agreement also establishes that the headquarters of the Volvo Ocean Race will be based permanently in the city of Alicante, as of next June.

This agreement is the result of a collaborative effort between the Spanish Central Government, the Valencian Regional Government and Alicante City Council. It reflects the success of the last official race departure, “Alicante 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race” on 11th October 2008 and, therefore, the recognition that Alicante and the Region of Valencia are ideal settings to organise major sporting events.

In fact, the departure of the X Volvo Ocean Race from the port of Alicante – the first time the race set off from anywhere in the Mediterranean – has been the most profitable event of its kind so far, since the costs incurred were zero, and it created an economic impact of €70 million, over 1,500 jobs through direct and indirect employment, and gained media coverage valued at €180 million.

In total, over a million people made their way down to the port to witness the departure of the race and enjoy the parallel activities organised at the Race Village over the 23 days prior to the competition. At the next edition, for the first time ever, there will be an interactive museum about the history of the Volvo Ocean Race since it was first launched in 1973.

International profile

During the months following the start of the race in Alicante, a promotional campaign has been launched, entitled “Comunitat Valenciana – The Start Region” in order to take the name of the Region around the ten ports at which competitors would be stopping during nine months of racing, covering a total of 39,000 miles (68,750 km), the longest route ever raced.

Through the different race villages set up at the ports of call, the campaign promotes the opportunities offered by the Region of Valencia in terms of tourism, culture, cuisine, exportation, productive sectors, R&D and innovation, technological institutes and the organisation of major projects and events.

A setting for major events

The Volvo Ocean Race represents the efforts of the Valencian Regional Government to strengthen the position of Alicante and the Region of Valencia on the international sailing calendar. This commitment is patent through the various other agreements signed by the Regional Department of Culture and Sport to host the inaugural race of the Audi MedCup 2009 circuit during the month of May, for the third year in a row, an initiative in which the Regional Government has invested €225,000. Furthermore, from 13th to 19th September, the Bay of Santa Pola will be hosting the Formula Windsurf World Championships, to which the Regional Government has contributed €100,000.

Source Travelturisme.com