Benidorm is a tourist reference for the British market, but in recent times some reports in the English media had generated some concern. It was not positive information, like the one published by the Daily Mail and the “umbrella war”, which offered a somewhat shabby image of the city of skyscrapers. But an extensive report published by The Sun, the leading British tabloid, confirms that public opinion in the United Kingdom has returned to Benidorm as a desired and almost paradisiacal destination.
Under the title “Beni-Fits” (Benefits) the information, prepared by the reporter Gracia Macaskill, details the advantages of spending a few days, long periods of time or even residing in the city of Alicante. Notable on the list were the quality of the food, the entertainment, the “sunny skies,” the “afternoon naps,” the “community spirit,” the quality of the “fashion,” the “secret miamis” like Playa de West, the evidence that it is also “a paradise for children”, the celebration of local festivals, the “family ties” of different generations between British residents and the quality of its health services.
Benidorm is a place with a large British presence. According to data provided by the Hosbec employers, in 2019 of the almost 12 million hotel overnight stays, 41% were English, almost five million. In the months of October and November, which are the preferred ones, this percentage is close to 48%. This without counting the overnight stays in campsites in the city, which were two million in the same year. Benidorm thus became once again the main destination for the almost 15 million British tourists who came to Spain last year.
It is worth reading what messages are released in The Sun report from residents of this city. “Here, all the local restaurants and tapas bars prepare everything fresh and the added bonus is that there are plenty of staff available to serve you. We love Spanish food like paella and mussels,” says one. “The acts are incredible and you can see five or six great shows, one after the other, with tributes to big names like Adele, Queen and Elton John.”
When referring to the weather, hyperboles are very attractive. “It goes without saying, but the climate is incredible. We enjoy 320 days of sunshine every year,” they say in the report. “It’s amazing to get up at 6 in the morning, take a walk on the beach to see the sun rise and know that it’s not going to rain at your party.” And how they value the nap: “The heat makes you sleepy, especially in summer, that’s why we succumb to it with an afternoon nap.” And they underline the excellence of the Valencian health system: “If I need a doctor because one of the children is sick, I can go to the emergency room and be treated in 20 minutes. If it is not urgent, we can make an appointment the next day. If you lose his job, he gets a sick card so he can access care.
