Copenhagen is attracting an increasing amount of fitness tourists

This year when KMD Ironman Copenhagen took place in the Danish capital around half of the participants were foreigners, which is an increase of 10% to 20% from previous years. The story is much the same for the annual Copenhagen Marathon, as 20% of the participants this year were foreign citizens, whereas the number of international competitors were only at 16% the year before.

It is however not only the major sports events like the KMD Ironman and the Marathon that attract fitness tourists, but also some of the more distinct Copenhagen sports events like the Round Christiansborg swimming competition. Round Christiansborg has participants swim in the canals of Copenhagen passing by local landmarks as The Black Diamond, The Stock Exchange and, of course, Christiansborg Palace itself.

As this trend of fitness tourism is increasing steadily, the large sports events of the European capitals are taking on a much more noticeable role compared to the classic leisure tourism and it is definitely something we can feel in the hospitality industry.

Not only do the athletes look for accommodation for themselves during the events, but many also bring their families along for the trip and stay a couple of days in Copenhagen before and after the event itself. Our experience at Apartment in Copenhagen is that many of the athletes and their families prefer to stay in private apartments compared to hotels, as the preparation for an intense challenge like the Ironman or the marathon is much more pleasant when you have a furnished home at your disposal.