Saturday saw thousands of people take to the streets of Benidorm to protest against the decision made by the health authorities to restrict nightlife and demand measures to help re-launch the local tourism sector.
The city’s hotel, leisure and trade associations marched from Avenida de Europa to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where they read a manifesto calling for justice for tourism in one of the most popular resorts in Spain. The statement was read jointly by the three main associations – Aico (Independent Association of Merchants of Benidorm and Province), Abreca (Association of bars, restaurants and cafeterias of Benidorm) and Ociobal (Association of leisure venues and discos of Benidorm) – in front of the Town Hall. The event was closed by the President of the Spanish Hospitality Federation, José Luis Yzuel.
The manifesto calls for a series of measures in various areas. In employment matters, they have demanded that the ERTEs for workers in the tourism sector be extended until 15th March, 2021 , the business contributions to Social Security for the tourism sectors be subsidised and the application of tourist vouchers that promote internal tourism.
The associations demanded that corridors of safe tourist destinations be promoted through “promotional campaigns for the enjoyment of national and international tourism.” For this, they consider it “essential” to implement rapid virus tests at airports and stations and that safe destinations be recognised.
In economic terms, they called for non-refundable aid for fixed rental costs for commercial premises, the reduction of VAT for hotel and restaurant services and the renegotiating of the two-year deficiencies in financial operations related to tourist business activity.
The representatives of the associations stated that this summer “millions of people” have passed through Benidorm and the contagion rates have been “extraordinarily low”, which shows “that things have been done well” and demanded “to be treated accordingly” they said.
After the march, which was been carried out with all the relevant security measures, the Mayor of the City, Toni Pérez , met with the representatives of the organising bodies to hear their clams first-hand, in relation to the latest measures dictated by the health authorities. The Mayor praised the organisation of the event and the “exemplary behaviour during the demonstration, which at all times showed “scrupulous respect for health safety and hygiene measures”.