Busy Levante beach

Hotel occupancy in Benidorm reached 90.6% during the month of August, which represents a 2.3% decrease compared to the same month last year according to figures released by HOSBEC, the hoteliers association.
However, occupancy for the second half of August pushed through the 90% mark, achieving 92.7% and so  did record an increase on last years figures over the same 2 week period.

As predicted the domestic Spanish market has fallen by 8% and accounted for 50.6% of the market. With the IVA increases now in place prices have gone up more or less everywhere and it was feared that the Spanish would be tightening their belts, with holidays taking a back seat in priority. Entrance prices for all the theme parks went up on 1st September making a family day out rather pricey, especially if you do not have any discount vouchers. The best ones have always been at the airport, so when flying in look out for them in the baggage reclaim area.

The good news is that the Brits are keeping tourism afloat in Benidorm... despite what The Sun said back in July! They made up a huge 34.7% of the market share and in the second half of August figures show an massive 18% increase on last years figures, surpassing 192,000 visitors! By category, the best occupancy was in the 4 star hotels which reached 93.6% - with the newly opened 4 star Flash hotel probably contributing to those figures. When I passed by at the weekend virtually every balcony had a towel on it, indicating a pretty full house.

Cheeky Scottish chappies from last year!

The forthcoming Benidorm fiesta in November will bring a huge influx of visitors, especially the Brits, who have come to love this spectacular almost as much as the Spanish. People come from not only all across the region but from the whole of Spain to participate. It kicks off on Friday 9th November and officially ends on Wednesday 14th, with the float parade and a massive firework display on the beach. Then the following day, Thursday 15th is what has become the traditional British Fancy Dress Day, which centres around the British Square. The vast array of costumes will leave you speechless - some for the wrong reasons! If you haven´t already booked a hotel then you may struggle to find a room anywhere near to the action at this late stage - people book from one to the next for this particular annual event.