Benidorm´s leading lady Gema Amor

At her desk...

I had the honour of sitting down and talking to Gema Amor, Deputy Mayor and Tourism Councillor of Benidorm - being a total workaholic it was a privilege that she found the time to sit down with me in her second floor office at the Town Hall.

European Day presentation with Consul Paul Rodwell and Mayor

Gema formed a coalition with Agustin Navarro following the elections in 2011, when the outcome failed to elect a single ruling party. Her working relationship is very similar to that of UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Nick Clegg who also formed a coalition - like Mr Clegg, Gema is a Liberal Democrat (she is head of the CDL) whilst Agustin Navarro is a Socialist (PSOE). Despite having vastly different political views and opinions they are both united in doing their best for the good of Benidorm.

By profession Gema is a lawyer but followed her fathers footsteps into politics. She was born and spent her childhood in the heart of Benidorm - and even now still lives in the town, albeit not right in the centre anymore. She went to university in Alicante, studying law then obtained a Masters at the prestigious University Carlos III in Madrid.

She moved to Valencia in 2001 where her political career began - she was Director of major projects, which included Terra Mitica then in 2003 was elected as an MP in the Generalitat Valenciana.
However, she then decided to move back home to Benidorm - her real love and where her heart and family are.

Her spoken English was pretty good although she laughed and told me that her English teacher from school wouldn´t be very happy with her grammar now! During her teen years she spent many summers in Dublin - unfortunately she was too young to appreciate the Guinness then.

On location during filming of the Benidorm series

Gema´s working day starts early with her mobile sometimes starting to ring at 8am. Each day is different and she will often be at a presentation late into the night - remember the Spanish don´t generally start evening proceedings before 9pm. But this is the aspect of her job which she most enjoys - being out among the people of Benidorm and listening to what they have to say. For this is the only way you really find out what they feel and want she told me. I have bumped into her several times in town - once unexpectedly meeting her when she popped down to see how the Benidorm series filming was going along the Levante promenade earlier this year. She fully understands the importance of the British sector and endeavours to get out and about whenever time allows. Her joint role as Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism means her paths often crosses with British ex-pats living and working in the resort and she is always interested to hear their opinion.

Talking with Gema

Two of her favourite places to visit are Benidorm Island and Mal Pas in the Old Town, which she likes to wonder around to unwind and whilst there always pops down to Tapas Alley for a bite to eat. The town is so full of life and buzzing - one of the biggest changes which she has noticed since her childhood years. Tourism has not only bought people to the resort but also helped to build it into what it has become with the growth of hotels, restaurants, theme parks etc. It is the single most important revenue for the resort and so crucial to listen to those that both live and visit the town. She is passionate about Benidorm and her wish and ambition is to one day become Mayor.... watch out 2015, the year of the next local election.