Benidorm announces major winners of 2026 tourism awards

Benidorm has unveiled the winners of its prestigious Ciudad de Benidorm Tourism Awards for 2026, with a familiar mix of major names and local businesses recognised for their contribution to the city’s international tourism profile.

The awards, announced by Benidorm Mayor Toni Pérez, were agreed unanimously by the municipality’s political groups. Four winners have been selected across international, national, regional and local categories, alongside a special mention for a long-standing figure from the city’s tourism industry.

International recognition for Benidorm Half

The international award goes to the Benidorm Half, which has become one of the biggest sporting events on the Costa Blanca and an increasingly important attraction for overseas visitors.

The November race offers both a half marathon and 10K event and attracted more than 9,000 runners at its most recent edition.

Its appeal extends well beyond sport, with competitors and supporters travelling to Benidorm from abroad and contributing to the city’s tourism economy during a period outside the traditional summer peak.

The award recognises the way the event has helped promote Benidorm as a destination capable of attracting visitors through sporting tourism as well as its beaches and nightlife.

McDonald’s campaign puts Benidorm centre stage

The national award has gone to McDonald’s Spain for its ‘Mitiquísimo’ summer campaign.

The campaign looked back at some of the traditions and familiar images associated with Spanish summer holidays, with Benidorm featuring prominently among the destinations and cultural references highlighted.

The city was presented as one of the defining symbols of the Spanish holiday experience, helping put its name and distinctive identity in front of a national audience.

Ale-Hop recognised for its Benidorm success

The regional prize goes to Ale-Hop, the retail company founded in Gata de Gorgos which has become instantly recognisable for its colourful shops and giant cow statues.

Benidorm played an important role in the company’s expansion. Its store in the city helped demonstrate how Ale-Hop’s affordable, quirky products could appeal to a large tourist audience.

The success of that location became associated with the so-called ‘Benidorm Effect’, helping validate a retail model that subsequently expanded across Spain and beyond.

Local award goes to transport company

The local category has been awarded to Autocares Grupo Benidorm, recognising its long-standing role in transporting visitors around the Costa Blanca.

The company has built its reputation through years of serving the tourism sector, with the award highlighting both its business trajectory and its contribution to the movement of visitors across the region.

Special tribute to Antonia Aguilar

This year’s special mention goes to Antonia Aguilar Masanet, a prominent Benidorm businesswoman whose career has been closely linked to the city’s tourism development.

Aguilar is the owner of the Hotel Palmeral, established by her parents in 1956. She also became the first manager of Restaurante Ulía and later founded the La Cala travel agency.

Her recognition provides a particularly local dimension to this year’s awards, celebrating a career spanning several different sides of the tourism industry.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, September 25, just two days before World Tourism Day on September 27.

The timing will give Benidorm an opportunity to celebrate the businesses, events and individuals that continue to contribute to its position as one of Spain’s best-known holiday destinations.