Benidorm is already looking ahead

BENIDORM’s tourist industry went to the Fitur fair in Madrid with high hopes after a sparkling 2015.

Nor was it disappointed when the resort’s representatives returned. Hopes were still higher on leaving the fair last weekend, the world’s most important after Berlin’s ITB event. Even Queen Letizia couldn’t leave the capital’s IFEMA centre without visiting the Benidorm stand.  She might have been there for less than a minute, but her gesture was interpreted as recognition of Benidorm’s status as a national and international tourist destination.

While in Madrid, Mayor Toni Perez, Leire Bilbao who heads the Visit Benidorm Foundation and the president of hoteliers’ association Toni Mayor, had several meetings to discuss co-marketing with J2, Thomas Cook and TUI.  These were follow-ups to earlier talks at the World Travel Market in London.

Leire Bilbao explained that the Foundation is now opting to focus on winter 2016-2017 thanks to this summer’s good prospects.

“It’s vital to arrange these meetings and ensure the cooperation of British tour operators,” Toni Perez said.  “The UK is the second biggest market after Spain and is our most important international market.”