The Ayuntamiento de Pamplona has organised a promotional event at the Frontón Labrit, bringing together travel agents and tour operators to highlight the city's connection to pelota vasca, a traditional Basque sport that is integral to Pamplona's cultural identity.
Running from 22 to 24 October, the initiative is part of the Iruhbi Pilota project, which aims to foster commercial relationships between local businesses and participating tourism promoters. On the first day, six agents and tour operators visited Pamplona, where they met with 16 local companies, including members of the Club de Producto de Turismo Cultural, the Asociación de Pequeña Hostelería de Navarra, and the Asociación de Hoteles de Pamplona, along with representatives from the Government of Navarra.
The event commenced with a presentation by Mikel Armendáriz Barnechea, the councillor for Economic Promotion, European Projection, Innovation, Youth, and Development Cooperation, and Carlos Andres Uranga, director of the area. They introduced Pamplona as a tourist destination and discussed the significance of pelota vasca in the city's cultural offerings. Attendees also had the opportunity to learn about the sport from former pelotari Mikel Idoate Rey.
The promotional visit has attracted professionals from six travel companies based in Spain and France, including Adriana Vilas Atelier, Ctrip/Asia Link, Press Tour, Tempo Vip, Viajes Mundo Amigo, and Chauchard Evasion. Participants will explore traditional tourist attractions and engage in experiences related to local gastronomy and culture. They will also take part in a guided tour of sites in Pamplona connected to the history of pelota vasca and watch a live match of the four and a half modality, one of the sport's most prominent forms.
This initiative is part of the transboundary cooperation project Iruhbi Pilota, which aims to leverage the cultural and tourism potential surrounding pelota vasca. The project, led by the Ayuntamiento de Pamplona, also involves the municipalities of Huarte and Biarritz, the Federación Navarra de Pelota Vasca, Iparralde Pilota Batzordea, and Biarritz Athletic Club. It has a total budget of €3,602,895.50, with 65% funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027).
