Save tourism to save Benidorm!

Vehicles rally through the town to demand support for the sector

Benidorm’s tourism sector united on Tuesday in protest at the lack of support from the government that they claim is crippling the tourism industry on which the resort is reliant.

ON Tuesday morning, Benidorm’s tourism sector united in protest at a lack of support from the government that they claim is crippling the tourism industry on which the resort is reliant.

The event was jointly organised by the main business associations in the region including ABRECA – restaurants, OCIOBAL – nightclubs and bars, AICO – commerce and freelancers, AVIBE – travel agencies, TAXI – public transport services, AVALUPI – Valencian association pf libraries and playgrounds, and ADISLEV – distribution companies, with support from HOSBEC and hospitality venues such as Benidorm Palace.

The objective of the protest, which involved over 500 vehicles in convoy through the main artery of Benidorm, was to highlight their demands, with the main one being to extend ERTE – temporary unemployment scheme for the entire tourism sector until Easter. Currently many have not been eligible, leaving workers without any financial aid and worrying about how they will feed their families.

By coincidence, the government announced on the very same morning that the ERTE scheme was indeed to be extended until January 31, 2021 giving the industry some peace of mind.

Other demands included a reduction of IVA, subsidised social security payments, Covid testing on arrival to help reignite tourism and assistance with commercial rents.

Starting from the Aqualandia car park, the noisy horn tooting convoy made its way to Terra Mitica, escorted by National Police where a manifesto was read out and for visual impact, an electric chair was mocked up to simulate the death of tourism if the government does not step in.

It is estimated that in Benidorm alone 20,000 jobs reliant on tourism are in danger of disappearing.

As well as hotel workers, there are also the supply chains associated with the hotels such as laundry services and food suppliers, coach transfer companies, taxis plus entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.