Last year, 2014, was Alicante airports best ever year, recording 10,065,873 passengers – a 4.4% increase on 2013, which equates to an extra 295,834 travelers! Even better news is out of that number, 4.3 million were from the UK – confirming that Spain and in particular the Costa Blanca continues to be a firm holiday favourite with the Brits. Following the Brits were Germans – with 781,416, Norwegians – 646,029 and Belgians 501,454. The airport handled 71,570 flights – of which 27,419 came from the UK and for December alone, recorded nearly a 5% increase in passenger numbers, meaning more and more are choosing to spend Christmas away from home.
Benidorm in particular continues to come out tops – with 11.2 million hotel stays last year of which 4.6 million were British holidaymakers. There is no denying that Benidorm´s combination of sun, beautiful sandy beaches, value for money, choice of entertainment and accommodation offer a winning recipe for so many - and the ITV comedy series Benidorm is doing its bit too!
Benidorm City Council are also preparing for the busy holiday season – spending money on road improvements around the resort. The fourth phase of the "road improvement plan" is underway in the Rincon de Loix area, with a budget of 180,000€. Councillor for Tourism Gema Amor said it was "especially important to improve the image of the town, which sees a large influx of visitors, especially the British throughout the year". Pavements are being repaired, curbs dropped at zebra crossings to allow easier wheelchair access, 54 brightly coloured giant plant pots are lining the main streets and even the English Square is being spruced up! Workmen were spotted painting, retiling and repairing the area outside the clubs – the destination for many revelers and focal point every November for the British Fancy Dress Day, which last year, according to police numbers attracted 30,000 people.
Although most of the theme parks are closed out of season there are still plenty of things to do and places to visit. The twice weekly outdoor market on every Wednesday and Sunday, the Indoor Market in the Rincon is open 6 days a week and the hugely popular El Cisne rastro, ideally served by the number 10 bus from the centre is open every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. You won´t be short of entertainment in the evening, which is all free in the cabaret bars – comedians, tribute acts, drag shows... not forgetting the iconic Benidorm Palace which is a must and well worth the entrance fee.There is a brand new casino on the Avd Mediterraneo now open and the Old Town is a must for a taste of the real Spain.
