42% of Benidorm tourists are Brits
When British tourists fancy a week or two of sun, sea and sand – but without spending an enormous amount of money – they tend to favour a handful of destinations. Among the most popular of these is the Spanish island of Benidorm, whose fame is such that it’s even go its own television sitcom.
Statistically, Benidorm is the fourth most popular destination in the country. 11.4 million people stayed there overnight during 2019. This figure is surpassed only by large cities like Barcelona and Madrid (which sit way ahead at 21.3 million and 20.6 million respectively), and by San Bartolomé de Tirajana (which is slightly more comparable at 11.7 million).
The figures are slightly complicated by events in November and December, where a legal problem prevented many Spaniards from making the trip to the island. Consequently, there was a slight dip in overnight stays overall. On the other hand, there was a 3% increase in travellers – which suggests that the place is going from strength to strength, and will continue to do so.
Another figure which suggests growth in the near future is the hotel occupancy one. The annual average coverage is around 84.2%, with the average hotel stay lasting for 5.3 days. With the island operating at close to capacity, we can expect a period of expansion in the near future.
Who Visits Benidorm?
According to research from Hostec, an incredible 42.7% of visitors to the island are from the UK. Of these, according to other research, around a quarter are drawn to Benidorm by the television show which bears its name.
Spanish locals account for a further 46.7% of visitors, which leaves the rest of the world to make up the remaining ten per cent. Belgians come in third place, with the Dutch, the Irish and the French following just behind.
Of course, this doesn’t account for permanent residents, of which there are around sixty-seven thousand.
You might imagine that having lots of Brits around might not make the place feel particularly foreign – but for many, that is the appeal. The island is set up to cater for British tourists, and English is spoken widely – which cannot be said for everywhere on the Spanish mainland.
Tourists looking to limit their spending while on the island can take all of the obvious steps. Budget for the entire trip, factoring in the cost of travel and accommodation, and including hidden costs like Benidorm airport transfers.
Where are Brits visiting?
Spain is by far the most popular destination for British tourists, with more than 15 million visitors to the country coming from Britain. This makes Spanish destinations considerably more popular than French ones (with France sitting in second place at 8.56 million). This reflects a broader upward trend in holiday-making, and an overall increase in spending by British tourists while abroad.
