On World Tourism Day, we want to look back and remember how Benidorm went from being a small fishing town to becoming one of Spain’s major tourist destinations.
To talk about Benidorm’s history is also to talk about the evolution of tourism in Spain. In just a few decades, the city underwent a profound transformation that changed its economy, its urban landscape and the way it connected with the wider world. What began as a Mediterranean town whose way of life was largely centred around fishing gradually gave way to a destination capable of attracting travellers from across Spain and, later, from all over Europe.
Benidorm’s tourism story began to take shape during a period of major social change. Rising wages, shorter working hours and the growing popularity of the car made it possible for more and more families to travel and enjoy their holidays by the Mediterranean.
Cars such as the iconic Seat 600 became a symbol of a new way of travelling. Benidorm, with its privileged climate, beaches and seaside location, began attracting an ever-growing number of visitors.
This change in habits coincided with a city that was itself beginning to transform. The bikini arrived on its beaches as a symbol of a new era, new hotels, restaurants and shops began to open, and improved transport links made Benidorm increasingly accessible to both domestic and international travellers.
The development of Alicante Airport provided another major boost for the city, bringing Benidorm closer to new European markets and consolidating its position as a holiday destination.
As tourism grew, so too came one of the urban planning decisions that would most strongly define Benidorm’s identity: building upwards. The first high-rise buildings began to shape the skyline that today makes Benidorm instantly recognisable around the world, forming part of an urban model now regarded internationally as an example of sustainable growth.
From those first summers to the present day, Benidorm continues to prove that some places never go out of fashion: they evolve. The city has adapted to new generations of travellers, new ways of travelling and new ways of enjoying a holiday. That ability to transform itself without losing its essence may well be part of the secret to its success. After all, there must be something special about a city that millions of people choose every year for their holidays.
At Climia Hotels, part of the hotel industry since 1954, we are proud to have been part of this journey and to have grown alongside a destination that has also known how to reinvent itself over the years.
Today, we continue to look to the future with the same spirit of hospitality, with the great privilege of welcoming travellers from all over the world and becoming part, even if only for a few days, of their holiday memories.
