PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING

A road that started from afar

“Strategy and Planning of Organizations, Events and Sports Facilities”.
This was the name of the International Master I attended in 2007. A sign of destiny, in retrospect. We had been living for many years in the field of Great Events, organization and management of important projects, and we knew it very well, and for the most part bringing back the most demanding clients in the world, the big multinationals. But for us it was not enough.

Experience, competence, vision have always been our mantra.
Padel was about to take on another dimension. International.
We wanted to contribute to this fascinating process, to bring Padel “out of Spain” but only after studying it “from inside”.

Only after having learnt from the best. Thirty years ago they had not yet done this.
Thirty years ago they were like us. Enthusiastic but lost. With a high wave coming towards them, an unbelievable urge to ride it but without ever getting on a surfboard.

The road has been long and complex, sometimes risky. Made of mistakes, wrong choices, painful failures, before experience gave way to new paths, brave ideas, winning strategies and turned them into successful examples.

11,422 Courts, 2,369 Clubs
This was the result of the Masters at the beginning of our journey. Impossible to turn them all over. But in our 102 days of “tour” we visited, lived, experienced 57 of them. From Barcelona to our Malaga. Sports Clubs. Padel and Tennis Clubs. Padel Club only. Indoor and Outdoor. With old walls or new panoramic glasses. With only three courts or 30 “pistas”!
57 Clubs, 57 different managements, 57 unforgettable experiences, 57 great lessons. And some very important points in common.

We have brought our know-how together in a METHOD to show you today what others will see tomorrow.

We have acquired experience, skills and a new strategic vision. We did it in on court. On Padel Court!
Alessandro Di Stefano – Founder Padel Travel Costa del Sol

01. The DNA of Padel Travel Consulting

SPANISH KNOW HOW

Past-Present-Future. We have decades of padel experience behind us, we live our daily life in Spain, studying every aspect of this fantastic sport and working on its international evolution.

INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

International professionals with a deep knowledge of the different territories and environmental dynamics related to the padel. Every day we support dozens of successful realities.

START-UP

We support you from the very first phase of project development, putting our knowledge and skills at your service. Building a solid foundation is the first step to succeed.

FOLLOW-UP

We provide you with all the tools to better position yourself in your market, from high-level training to international experience, from technical material to apps for managing bookings and tournaments, a winning synergy to never “leave you alone”.

02. Why invest in Padel?

The growth trend of practitioners all around the world in the two-year period 2019-2021 is +1,000%.
The investment of a court is amortized on average in 4 months.
The construction of a court requires a space of only 200 square meters.
The maintenance costs of the structure are very low.

Padel is fun and easy to learn, does not require special physical preparation.
Suitable for all ages, gender and pockets; it is inclusive, not selective.
It does not require large investments by players to buy the necessary equipment.

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING GUIDES YOU IN INVESTING, THANKS TO MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD OF PADEL, GAINED IN SPAIN AND ADAPTED TO DIFFERENT REALITIES”

03. Avoid crashing into a back wall!

A relatively low investment will quickly bring great competition.
If we do not consolidate as “more than a Club” soon the war will be exclusively on price.
Choices dictated by instinct, wrong indications from “insiders” and little knowledge can mean for an entrepreneur an increase in initial investment of up to +30% compared to what is really necessary as well as an increase in management costs of up to +25%.
Passive”, “tennis” management leads to revenues of up to -30% compared to an efficient, “Spanish”, proactive management.

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING SUPPORTS YOU IN YOUR STRATEGIC CHOICES BOTH IN THE START-UP AND MANAGEMENT PHASES”

04. The project

Perimeter of the project/range of services: should I only offer Padel? Do I want to combine it with other complementary sports activities (gym,…) that can create synergies and multiple benefits? Bar yes or no? Would a restaurant or a Club House be profitable to exploit the flow of members and players?
Business model: do I want to limit costs and exploit the space as a mere “rent courts”, do I want to represent a “best case” and create a franchise line? Do I want to open an Academy?

Target: what is my audience? Just high spenders? Only amateur? What is the female percentage?
Market: is the local market big enough for my project? Am I focusing on one area or the whole city? Number of inhabitants? Is a low number of practitioners a positive or negative index?
Competition: Who is my competition today? In 1 year? In 3 years? Threat or opportunity? Can I create synergy? Can I take advantage of it?

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING MAKES FOR YOU A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CONTEXT IN WHICH YOU WANT TO DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS”

05. The location

Location: where is the location found? Is it a transit area? Is it located near motorway arteries? How far is the nearest public transport stop? Are there schools or offices in the surrounding area? Is parking easy? Is there any provision for mobility?

Rent or purchase: what is the proposed rent? Better to buy? Is a “rent to buy” solution available? Building from scratch?

Dimensions: How many courts do I want to install? Did you know that the cost of running 2 or 6 courts is very similar? Do I also want to open a shop? A bar? Area for private events?

Conditions: what investment do I have to make to level the ground? What slope does it have? If it’s a warehouse, can I already use the existing concrete as a slab to anchor the courts? Did you know that in the outdoor Padel Courts a rough, draining concrete should be used to absorb water and ensure the best playability? Remember that the lighting system must be channeled up to the four light pillars.

Indoor or Outdoor: What is the number of rainy days per year? And the average temperature? If Indoor better coverage from scratch or an industrial shed? Did you know that it must not be lower than 8 meters?

Optimize spaces: how do I distribute the courts? What is the best orientation? Is it strategic to have a “Centre Court”? Where do I position the Bar to make it work at full capacity? And the Relax Area? Does the path to the courts favours the visibility of bars and shops?

Services and Supplies: is there a light connection? Is there drinking water? Sewerage network? Does their location affect my idea of locker room and bar layout? Is heating/air conditioning necessary? If yes, what is the best solution? Is it convenient to evaluate a system with solar panels?

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING PROVIDES YOU WITH THE IDEAL PARAMETERS THAT THE LOCATION MUST MEET IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT!”

06. Permits and licences

A padel field is covered by the NTC 2018 Technical Building Regulations.

Is this private or public land? Are there any tenders? Have you thought about multi-year concessions? Can sports credit partly finance my investment? What mode of use should the warehouse have? How soon will I receive the approval to start the work? Should I change location if times get longer? How long can I afford to wait?
What are the steps to follow for the creation of a club? Should the municipality be involved? What professionals are needed to develop the project? Surveyor, Engineer, Architect? Do the works require the opening of a building site?
Does the location have the right size for the expected volume of clients? Is it able to comply with International safety standards? Are there architectural barriers?

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING HELPS YOU NAVIGATE THE BUREAUCRATIC JUNGLE”

07. Costs and Revenues Planning

Initial investment

Initial investment: what capital do I need to realize my project? Do I need to go to a banking institution? Is a major outlay necessary for the structure or the land to be ready to go? In addition to the fields and the renovation of the warehouse, what should I consider in the initial investment?

Operating costs

Operating costs: what is the cost of rent? And what is the maximum rent I can pay? Have I considered all the cost items? Have I considered potential extras and contingencies? Can I cover all costs and make a good profit? Even if in a year’s time, more competition will lead me to lower the court rental fee?

Fixed costs

Fixed costs: have I considered all cost items? in addition to the rent (unless we buy the land / shed) have I considered all other fixed costs? Air conditioning, water, electricity, gas, insurance and taxes?

Staff

Staff: How many people do I need to run my club? Can I count on working partners? Did you know that your instructor can be paid with tax-free “sports activity” up to € 10,000? How many days do I need a cleaner?

Operating expenses

Operating expenses: how much will my water bill be? How many litres do I consider for a shower? And the electricity bill? Electricity is the second most important cost item after renting the property. It is a variable cost and we are able to calculate it to estimate it correctly. For example, each Padel field has 8 LED floodlights of 150W with an hourly consumption of 1.2 Kw. It will be sufficient to know the price of the Kw to get the amounts in the bill and know any additional charges to be inserted in the evening hours that do not use natural light in outdoor situations.

Maintenance costs

Maintenance costs: Did you know that good care of the courts can double its “life expectancy” and halve its costs? An example? Many clubs use “only” 2,000kg of sand when most grass require more than 3,000. It will lead to more and faster deterioration, a worse playing experience and a higher risk of injury.

Depreciation plan

Amortization plan: Did I find out about the life of all the structures and accessories? Which of these are depreciable? Have I calculated an amortization plan including in each financial year the proportional share to be amortized? Am I aware of all the expenses that await me in each of the future years?

Revenue statement

Income projection: have I created synergies between several services I offer to the same client? Have I exploited services/products accessory to my core business? Have I created new sources of revenue in addition to Padel services? Have I maximized the contribution of members through a loyalty program? Have I thought about diversifying prices by time slot? Is a renowned Coach a great cost or potential source of revenue? Have I taken into account all direct revenue sources (court fees, lessons, tournaments, etc.) and indirect revenue sources (bar/shop rent in case of external management)?

Strict financial control

Strict financial control: a constant check will allow you to keep your business under control. Keep your annual budget forecasts, revenues and costs, cash flow, liquidity, amortization plan always up to date.

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING IMPLEMENTS A DETAILED BUSINESS PLAN, DETAILING INITIAL COST ITEMS, OPERATING COSTS, REVENUE SOURCES AND MULTI-YEAR AMORTIZATION PLAN”

08. The Padel Court

The structure:

Standard or Panoramic? The first one is cheaper, easier to transport and install, more stable and versatile. The second one is more expensive and fragile but at the same time ensures an open and scenic effect. Have you ever thought of a mix? Does a panoramic court make sense if we have a wall behind a few centimeters?

Concrete slab:

What is it? Is realization always necessary? What is it for? What size must it be? What material is it made of? Who is in charge of the realization? Can I install the court on an existing ground?

The Grass:

Did you know that the leader of the sector is MONDO? The STX Supercourt System was developed specifically for the centre field of the World Padel Tour (curly, textured filament with minimum stabilisation clog). Aesthetically more beautiful and with more grip. The STX system features polyethylene monofilaments with a single central rib. The second type of mat may require over 3,000kg of silica sand for each field. Ideal for those who like to “slide” in elongation. Homogeneity and regularity of the angular and vertical rebound are fundamental aspects for the playing experience and prevent injuries. Good maintenance doubles the life of a pitch. Is the choice of colour just an aesthetic feature or does it play an important role? Do you know how the height of the pitch affects the speed of play? Be critical and be able to compare data sheets. Beware of imitations, the economic and image damage could be enormous.

Glass:

10 mm glasses are cheaper and much easier to find on the market. They are installed on courts with standard structures. In panoramic courts that do not have structural supports on the short side, only 12mm glass is installed, which is thicker to withstand more pressure and ensure stability. It is important to check that the glass complies with current EU regulations (EN12150-1) and that it is “tempered glass”, i.e. treated at high temperatures to increase resistance and safety. In case of breakage, this technique would ensure a millimeter shattering of the glass with less risk of injury for players.

Lighting:

what type should I choose? Did you know that a perfect light/colour is around 5,000 Kelvin? Did you know that an LED light is more expensive but generates more light, less consumption and can double the life of projectors. If you want to create an Indoor structure have you thought about the option of “ceiling” lighting? It will eliminate the vibrations of the light pillars. Another important aspect for the player’s experience is to make sure that the voltage of the electric current is always constant to avoid the annoying effect of flickering light that would negatively affect the vision of the ball with complaints from customers.

Customization:

details can make all the difference! Have you thought about leaving at least two meters between one field and another with regulation exits? Do you know that there are various types of uprights for lighting? Usi the windows for sponsors or the logo of your club? Customize the corners of the fields? Containers for paleteros and benches for players?

Transport and assembly:

95% of the fields from Padel worldwide are made in Spain. If you buy them there, make sure that the transport (by land by truck or by sea in containers) and the assembly are included in the price and that everything arrives in perfect condition. If you rely on a team of local workers to optimize costs, you will require a technician from the parent company to be present at all times. The fields from Padel in Italy are a new realization. There is very little knowledge and wrong choices in the assembly and orientation of the fields can have a very high cost that can go as far as the entire work. The average installation time of a good quality field is 3 days with 3 resources at work. You will have to guarantee an opening / door of at least 3.5mt x 3.5mt.

Extras for maintenance:

make sure that the company installing the fields also provides you with extra materials for future maintenance/replacement: silica sandbags, LED projectors, glass, etc. Also make sure that the person in charge of maintenance receives adequate training. The camps will be your “children”.

Warranty:

Consult your supplier. Usually the duration varies according to the different elements that make up the field. The structure usually has a warranty of at least 3 years. Glass, carpet and lighting vary greatly according to type and supplier.

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING GUIDES YOU IN CHOOSING THE BEST PADEL COURTS”

09. Type of Company and affiliation

Constitution of the Company:

should I opt for an “Limited Liability Company” or is it more convenient to set up as an Amateur Sports Association or Amateur Sports Club? Do I know the pros and cons of each formula? In the second case can I carry out my activity for profit? Is it true that in the case of the ASD the members answer with their personal capital? Why should I set up an “Limited Liability Company” that delegates the sports activity to an ASD? What are the tax advantages that ASD/SSDs are entitled to with respect to LLCs?

Employees and Collaborators:

Can an ASD hire staff? Did you know that instructors can be paid through the “sport activity” fee up to 10k tax-free? What are the benefits of the collective agreement for the sports sector? Do I have to pay INPS for my employees?

Purchases and Sponsorships:

will my Partners be able to deduct the sponsorships they make in my favour? Is it true that I do not pay VAT if I buy the fields abroad?

Federation / EPS affiliation:

I have to affiliate with an institution recognized by CIO? Better Federation or Sports Promotion Association? What are the pros and cons of each option? What are the affiliation costs? Which are the EPS and how to choose them? Can I affiliate to both? If I join the Federation can a non-member play in my Club? Can an EPS Coach teaches to someone who is not a member of my club?

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING SUPPORTS YOU IN THE CHOICE OF LEGAL FORM AND AFFILIATION, EXPLAINING IN DETAIL THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS OPTIONS”

10. Marketing & communication

Padel is not just Padel. There are at least 10 easily integrated complementary services that can increase your revenues up to +18% from playroom to physiotherapy.

Have you identified Associations, Companies and Scholastic Institutes in the area? Do you know which buttons to tap?

How can I take advantage of social networks? Drafts, Awards, “Player of the Month”…

How can I retain my customers? Have you thought of Fidelity Cards that include more services?

Did you know that a good Coach can increase your monthly revenue by 20%? Have you ever thought about hiring a qualified Spanish Coach?

Can I use a Network of “Virtuous” Circles to share positive and negative experiences?

Padel is not only played after 6pm. The Spanish clubs where we work reach 70% of monthly occupancy (opening 07am-01am). There are specific policies and audiences to work on to fill the mornings of your club. Are you sure that a court rental fee of 5€/player is always madness?

Do you know what Padel Ambassadors is and what strategic role he can play? Have you ever heard about Pull de Padel?

How can I involve targets and less related groups such as women and over65? How can I create social aggregation within the Club? Is my location suitable for private and corporate events?

Did you know that a Tournament in a few hours can triple the earnings of a normal Club day? Do you know how to organize it? Have you thought about the prizes and how to attract participants?

“PADEL TRAVEL CONSULTING SHARES THE SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES TESTED IN THE HOMELAND OF PADEL THAT ARE STILL LITTLE KNOWN IN THE REST OF THE WORLD, A HUGE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OVER THE VAST MAJORITY OF COMPETITORS, REPRESENTED BY “DO-IT-YOURSELF” CLUBS”