Boost for Benidorm hotels
UK's lockdown exit plan gives resort town a shot in the arm
Bookings from the UK have shot up in Benidorm following the announcement from the British government last week about possible relaxing of restrictions on foreign travel.
THE COMPANY MedPlaya reported that bookings from the UK have shot up by 600% at their hotels in Benidorm following the announcement from the British government last week about possible relaxing of restrictions on foreign travel.
The group has five hotels in the resort – Río Park, Regente, The Agir Springs, Flamingo Oasis and Ruidor.
Operations director Jordi Avellí told state news agency EFE of the ‘spectacular’ move in the right direction.
He noted that Benidorm had fared better than their hotels in Cataluña, where the rises have been around 200%.
Sr Avellí noted that the reservations are for dates after May 17 when, in principle, international travel from the UK could be permitted once more.
He added that they are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays also confirmed a staggering 600% growth in bookings in less than 24 hours after the UK announcement, which boosted confidence among their clients.
CEO Steve Heapy said that they will continue to wait for more details but in the meantime, will be available for their clients at all times.
In Benidorm Ricardo Sánchez, managing director of the Hotel Cimbel on the Levante beachfront – and one of only a small handful of hotels to remain open in the resort – said he was optimistic, stating that since the announcement by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson they had received dozens of bookings from the UK. In 2019 Britons made up 41.3% of Benidorm’s tourism market.
Getting ready for the tourists
Preparations are underway in resort towns such as Benidorm to welcome back tourists in the spring.
There was activity in many bars throughout last week, deep cleaning in preparation for welcoming back customers.
Benidorm town hall workers are also preparing beaches in anticipation of the reactivation of tourism to the resort.
They will be repeating the same format implemented last summer, ‘Benidorm Beach Safety’, which will see the beach divided into plots of four square metres to ensure social distancing.
The scheme was due to start this week and until April 30 there will be no sunbeds or parasols for hire.
The town hall stated that lifeguards and first aid personnel will be increased and, in addition, include the use of a boat and ambulance.
The beaches will also see extra cleaning in the morning and afternoon to complement the usual night service.