Despite literally millions flocking to Benidorm every year (with it the top European destination for Brits) it seems somewhat bizarre that officially at least, the resort is not classified as a "Tourist Town" by Central Government - yet Calpe, Denia and El Campello up the road are!
Millions flock to Benidorm
Yesterday, the Mayor Agustin Navarro wrote an official letter on behalf of the town to the Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, which is endorsed by Isabel Borrego - Secretary of State for Tourism, who called it "shocking" that Benidorm does not have this recognition. The problem lies in the definition under Section 125, approved in 2002 under Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar which defines a tourist town by the number of second homes rather than hotel rooms!
Lost funding
The consequence of this wording means that Benidorm is loosing around 1 million euros of funding from Central Government, which since the Finance Law was approved amounts to 12 million euros for the town - a considerable sum. If, and it´s a big if, the definition is changed there is no knowing whether the money could be claimed back. In April 2010 the then PP Government tried to amend the law but the debate was postponed 50 times in Congress and another attempt was made again in October 2013 - but without success.
ServiGroup chain
But good news for the ServiGroup Hotel group who have been just been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor for 14 of its hotels - of which 8 are in Benidorm: Castilla, Orange, Pueblo, Venus, Calypso, Rialto, Nereo and Torre Dorado. The award is voted for by the public, following scoring on customer satisfaction, where they gained 4 or more points out of a possible 5.
The Hotel Orange is particularly popular with the party crowd - especially as it is situated literally in the English Square.... so easy staggering distance back after a heavy night out!
