Black-listed by motorhome users

CALPE has been served an unsavoury award – that of one of four towns to be considered as ‘hostile’ towards motorhomes.

The Autonomous Motorhome Platform (PACA), one of the main entities in Spain who defend the rights of the owners of camper vans, has just added Calpe to its list of blacklisted tourist areas.

PACA stated that “It is advised not to visit these cities or towns”. The four blacklisted are Velez Malaga (Malaga), Valdemoro (Madrid), Benidorm and Calpe.

It advises all of its members to “not visit this town and do not leave profits in its shops until this aptitude of its regents persists”.

In May last year, a new regulation was introduced by Calpe town hall which prohibits the overnight stay of motorhomes on public roads.

Previously an excellent source of tourism for Calpe, the restriction on parking has meant that rather than pay to park in a designated campsite in the town, camper van owners are now moving elsewhere – it is estimated that these visitors can spend up to €100 a day in local shops, bars and restaurants.

With the average new motorhome costing around €80,000, and used mostly for touring purposes, the controversial decision by Calpe council could well have a detrimental affect on local income as the 44,000 members of PACA have been notified of the judgement.