British Tourists Flocking To Benidorm Concern Officials As COVID Infection Rates Soar

Spanish tourist chiefs have raised concerns about the impact of British tourists on the soaring COVID-19 infections rates being recorded in the popular Spanish resort town of Benidorm.

The resort town that is one of the most popular destinations for Brits heading abroad has a 14-day contagion rate of 215 cases per 100,000, which is five times higher than the Spanish average national rate of 43.

The new site Telecinco reports that the local government is concerned that the spike in cases in the United Kingdom is now spreading into Benidorm, potentially threatening Spain’s fight to control the virus.

Beach in Benidorm. (Newsflash)

COVID-19 infection rates in the UK have been on the rise compared to many other European countries.

According to the Reuter’s COVID-19 tracker, the UK is reporting 47,272 new infections reported on average each day whilst Spain is only reporting 1,906 per day.

Telecinco reports that since the UK eased travel restrictions to Spain on 4th October beaches in Benidorm have frequently been completely full with Brits lounging in the Mediterranean sun.

Beach in Benidorm. (Newsflash)

Benidorm attracts Brits with its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife and affordable accommodation which have turned the resort town into a hotspot for both tourists and ex-pats.

Toni Mayor, president of Hosbec, a business organisation representing hoteliers in the Valencia region, told inews: “We are worried because the number of COVID-19 cases in Benidorm have risen to above the national level.

“It is still under control but we need tourists to observe health restrictions to reduce the number of cases.”

Benidorm Old Town in Spain full in October 2021. (Newsflash)

He added: “So far, British tourists in Benidorm have generally respected our rules and wear masks inside bars and restaurants. Our hotels have not seen any Covid outbreaks. But we are still in the middle of a pandemic and it is not over yet. So people must wear masks.”

Benidorm’s city council has not clarified whether it plans to impose restrictions in the resort town as a result of the spike in cases.