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ARCHIVED - Benidorm is booming with welcome return of British holidaymakers
The UK retains its place as the Costa Blanca resort's biggest international market
After two crippling years during which the Covid pandemic brought Benidorm to its knees, the jewel in Costa Blanca's tourism crown is back on its feet and busier than ever thanks to the much-needed return of British holidaymakers.
The streets are busy, bars are full and many hotels are full to capacity with reports of businesses that were forced to close due to the health crisis reopening their doors and new enterprises making the most of the tourism surge.
In the last few weeks, the arrival of Brtiish travellers in Benidorm has been "reminiscent of pre-Covid times" and tourist activity is "picking up every day," according to sector representatives who are forecasting "a recovery of this market even earlier than expected" and are putting fears over the proposed tourist tax aside for the moment.
Karen Maling Cowles, head of Benidorm's British Businesses Association, told Spanish press that Brits are "now returning to what feels like their home".
"They wanted sun and leisure and, above all, Benidorm," she said, adding that because the British were so keen to return to the coastal resort "many began to do so as soon as the pandemic restrictions were lifted".
May has been a "record" for tourism and one of the main reasons is the arrival of UK tourists.
Three months ago, just 50% of hotels were open in what's known as the 'English area' because of the high concentration of accommodation and bars.
But the situation in mid-May is completely different and 90% of the hotels associated with the hotel association Hosbec are now welcoming guests; 104 hotels along with 31 appartment accommodations and eight campsites.
According to the latest data from Hosbec, British tourists continue to consolidate their position as the leader of the international market accounting for 41% of the total bookings, almost on a par with domestic tourism.
And the recovery is reflected in airport passenger data provided by Aena. In 2021, 1.4 million British passengers passed through Alicante-Elche Airport compared to 5.9 million in 2019. And the figures for 2022 at the moment "are practically the same as this time three years ago".
At ground level, the main streets of the popular Rincón de Loix area are once again "beginning to be the nerve centre of the English area".
"New businesses are opening and others, which had to close, are reopening their doors again. Practically 100% of the new openings are in the hospitality sector, and many have been opened by British people," explained Cowles.
Álex Fratini, a member of Benidorm Bars, Restaurants and Cafetria Association, Abreca, also reaffirmed that "it's been a very good month for the hotel and catering business, not only in the English area, but also for other businesses on Levante beach and in the city centre".
"British tourists are not just staying in the Rincón, but are also visiting other areas that they had not visited before to fill terraces and bars."
In addition, according to Fratini, British travellers "spend practically twice as much as Spanish tourists".
A Brit holidaymaker typically spends around 80 euros a day in hotels, restaurants and bars; Spanish tourists spend less, between 40-50 euros, he added.
"National tourists, for example, have breakfast for an average of 3 euros; those from the UK can spend around 7 or 8 euros on an English breakfast, and the English eat lunch and dinner earlier, which has meant that many businesses have added an extra shift of tables to cater for these consumers."
Image: Facebook/Carmen Gómez Talegon
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