One of the objectives of the Tourist Board is to promote the resort and all that it has to offer - sometimes not an easy job with the preconceived ideas some people have. The Benidorm series has certainly done wonders for the resort but it does tend to have a marmite effect - you either love it or hate it. Negative and false press coverage over the last few years certainly did nothing positive to what is a fabulous destination, where you will find something for everyone.

Benidorm stand at Fitur in Madrid

The director of the Tourism Foundation, Yolanda Pickett, together with her team have recently been at "Fitur" a 5 day International Travel Fair in Madrid to promote Benidorm. The first 3 days were for trade, namely press, travel agents and tour operators and the weekend it was open to the general public.

Yolanda helping promote "gastronomy"

There were ten pavilions in total with the "Benidorm" stand prominently featured within the Comunidad Valencia pavilion. In total 200 exhibitors were showcasing and promoting their business and services from the Benidorm region, such as hotels, restaurants and leisure activities.

Trade representatives from across the world come to these exhibitions and it is very important for Benidorm to have a presence at such events. Throughout the course of the year they will also be attending similar fairs in France, Belgium, Holland and emerging markets such as Russia, Poland and even Algeria. It may sound rather glamorous but it´s far from it - you are standing on your feet for 12 hours repeating the same information time after time.

Unfortunately as budgets are limited they have to be very prudent on how they spend their funds. Co-Marketing works very well Yolanda told me and one established partnership is with Jet2, an example being on bus shelters in the northern parts of the UK with a poster "Go on Jet2 to Benidorm". For those that have Sky television flick to channel 284, the holiday & cruise channel where you may spot the Benidorm ad.

Benidorm beaches - the star attraction

They have also just finalised a 1 month campaign on taxi´s in 5 major UK cities; Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. The sides will be covered with images of the resort and Benidorm logo - if you spot one take a snap and upload it to the "visitbenidorm" facebook page. There will also shortly be a double page spread in the weekend supplement of a National UK newspaper, so keep your eyes out.

#BeniLove

To promote the resort and coincide with Valentines Day, the tourist board are running a competition, enabling you to win 2 nights at a 4 star hotel over the Valentine weekend!

To be in with a chance all you have to do is answer an easy question... "Simples" as the meerkat would say!
  "What would be your idea of a perfect romantic evening in Benidorm"
in the most imaginative way you can think of. Send your answers to VisitBenidorm via facebook, twitter or instagram but all must be accompanied with the hashtag #BeniLove - and the competition closes on Friday 7th Febuary, so you have only a week to get your answers in.

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