La Ballena Alegre celebrates 50 years as a tourist reference and consolidates its apostate of the future
Camping Bungalow Resort & Spa La Ballena Alegre, in Sant Pere Pescador, celebrated its 50th anniversary on 19 June with an institutional event that brought together representatives from public administrations, the tourism sector, the business community and organisations closely linked to the region.
The celebration provided an opportunity to look back on the journey of a campsite that, since opening in 1976, has become one of the leading campsites on the Costa Brava and in Europe, while also helping to drive the sector towards higher standards of quality and sustainability.
Held at the resort itself, overlooking the Bay of Roses, the event combined networking, gastronomy and institutional speeches. Memories spanning five decades were accompanied by a spirit of celebration, gratitude and optimism for the future of both La Ballena Alegre and the tourism sector in Girona.
A day in 1976…
“One day my father called me and said: we’re building a campsite in Sant Pere Pescador.”
These were the words with which Manel Arraut, partner and former CEO of the campsite, began recalling its history.
“And now, 50 years later, enough time has passed for some of those who used to come here as children to have become grandparents,” he said.
“When this campsite first began its journey, nobody could have imagined what it would become, or that thousands of people would come to consider this place their second home,” he added.
He also highlighted how La Ballena Alegre has become an establishment that combines warmth and closeness with technology that places it at the forefront of sustainability.
A major step forward: BAM Resorts
“Taking advantage of the fact that we are gathered here to celebrate these 50 years, I am immensely proud to officially present our next big step: BAM Resorts, Ballena Alegre Management,” announced Manel Arraut.
“BAM Resorts is our operating company, a vehicle to bring the spirit of La Ballena Alegre to the world. Today, we already manage three additional campsites,” he explained. “We have signed a new development in Alicante, we are beginning construction on another in Mont-roig del Camp, and we continue to negotiate other projects.”
The event brought together representatives from public institutions and various organisations linked to the tourism sector.
Among the speakers were Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism; Miquel Noguer, President of the Provincial Council of Girona; and Agustí Badosa, Mayor of Sant Pere Pescador.
Also attending were Josep Bofill, Mayor of L’Escala; Jordi Masquef, First Vice-President of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board; and Miquel Gotanegra, President of the Girona Campsite Association, among others.
Jordi Hereu spoke about the importance of camping within the tourism sector, pointing out that there were “50 million overnight stays in campsites across Spain in 2025”.
He also highlighted the sector’s challenges, including reducing seasonality, diversifying the offer, creating higher-value experiences and embracing digitalisation.
“In this respect, Catalonia and the Costa Brava are leading the evolution of camping in Spain,” he stated.
He cited La Ballena Alegre as an example, recalling that he had already known the campsite when he spent his holidays in the Empordà as a young man, making it part of his childhood memories.
For his part, Miquel Noguer, President of the Provincial Council of Girona, stated that they were celebrating “50 years of creating happiness and constantly improving”, and praised the forward-looking vision of La Ballena Alegre’s management.
“You should be proud because you help enhance the prestige of the camping sector on the Costa Brava and in Girona,” he said, describing it as a benchmark.
Agustí Badosa, Mayor of Sant Pere Pescador, praised the “roadmap” followed by the management team of La Ballena Alegre.
“When you see where it stands after 50 years, it is clearly a success story.”
He also highlighted the resort’s commitment to sustainability, its careful use of natural resources and its collaboration with local food producers.
From campsite to high-end outdoor resort
Now part of the BAM Resorts hospitality group, La Ballena Alegre has evolved from a holiday campsite into a leading outdoor resort.
Today, it combines accommodation, sports activities, gastronomy, international events and environmental conservation initiatives.
The anniversary also served to remember some of the most important moments in the campsite’s history and to pay tribute to all those who have been part of the project over the years, from the founding families to the employees, collaborators and guests who have contributed to the growth of La Ballena Alegre.
The celebration concluded with a particularly emotional and festive finale.
The highlight came with the traditional candle-blowing ceremony, led by La Ballenita, the campsite’s mascot and one of its most beloved symbols, together with the founders and both former and current directors.
Guests were then treated to a surprise ending, with a batucada percussion performance and a synchronised swimming show that filled the final moments of the celebration with rhythm and emotion.
