Benidorm hits out at ‘Benidoom’ label
Benidorm tourism bosses say they were "shocked and bewildered" by a report in The Sun yesterday that claimed the Spanish beach resort was in decline after being abandoned by the Brits.
The Sun newspaper said the resort was "fast becoming a pit of depression and despair". A state-backed survey showed visitor numbers from the UK – its largest market – were down almost 13% year on year in April and the paper said reporters visiting the resort last week found "scores of British-owned businesses boarded up, deserted nightclubs and beaches full of empty sun loungers".
However, the director of tourism for Benidorm Yolanda Pickett Fernandez said UK visitor numbers were still rising, even despite Ryanair’s decision to cut the number of budget flights to Alicante, the resort’s closest airport.
She quoted a summer trends survey released last week by hotel comparison website Trivago, which showed that Spain topped the list of the most popular holiday destinations for July and August and Benidorm remained the No 1 resort for UK holidaymakers.
"UK visitor numbers to Benidorm grow year on year and we are very proud that Benidorm remains No1 on the list of best-selling destinations in Spain for the UK.
"Whilst Spain and indeed the whole of Europe has of course felt the effects of the global recession, Benidorm’s reputation as a unique, accessible and excellent value resort remains unparalleled.
"We have a very high percentage of guests who return year after year to enjoy five world- class theme parks, three award-winning beaches and year-round sunshine, helping it fare better than many other resorts."
Tourism statistics by The Hotel Association for Benidorm and the Costa Blanca show that whilst Spanish visitors are slightly down on last year, the number of British guests to Benidorm has risen.
Hotel bookings for June 2012 were up 2% on last year (and 14% up for All-Inclusive hotels).
Fernandez said that as most of Ryanair’s reduction in capacity to Alicante was from non-UK airports, she had not noticed any negative impact. Also, other airlines, including Jet2, have increased capacity.
Countering criticism that Benidorm needs tarting up, Fernandez said in the last 10 years 90% of hotels have been upgraded and refurbished and three new 5-star hotel resorts and golf courses have opened.
"Only last week we had ITV’s ‘This Morning’ doing live broadcasts from the resort, filming on beaches, hotels and interviewing guests as well as cast members of the TV show ‘Benidorm’ stating how much they loved and enjoyed the resort and the special atmosphere we work very hard to create here."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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