Benissa is making waves once again. This lovely little Costa Blanca town has been nominated for the Smart Travel News Awards 2025.
Benissa is competing for the title of Innovative Tourist Destination. Not too shabby for a place once best known for its coves.
This nomination celebrates Benissa’s bold transformation of its tourism model. Forget the old “sun and sand” routine, this is tourism powered by real-time data, clever planning, and a commitment to sustainability.
Benissa leads the way in smart tourism: Trailblazers
The awards, organised by Smart Travel News, spotlight Spain’s trailblazers in tourism innovation each year. It looks for locations blending technology, creativity and a bit of foresight to make destinations more dynamic and responsible.
Since 2022, Benissa’s Smart Tourist Destination project has been in full swing.
What is Benissa’s secret weapon?
Benissa’s secret weapon is the Tourism Intelligence System (SIT-LAB). It keeps tabs on more than 600 live indicators , from visitor flows to resource use, helping the town anticipate crowding, save energy and water, and offer visitors tailor-made experiences.
And the results are quite impressive.
The summer rush at Benissa’s coves is down by 27%, thanks to clever crowd management and a gentle nudge towards inland adventures. Water consumption in tourist accommodation has dropped by 18% per stay. Meanwhile, town centre visits are up 22%, boosted by lively events and digital tools guiding travellers to new corners of the community.
“European funds and smart investment have made this transformation possible,” says Virginia Pérez, Benissa’s Councillor for Tourism. “We are moving towards a more balanced, sustainable model that benefits everyone.”
Mayor Arturo Poquet agrees. “Benissa now shows how technology, when used wisely, can protect our environment, strengthen the local economy, and create memorable experiences.”
The town will face some stiff competition, including New York City + Conventions and Salou City Council. The winners will be revealed on 3 December, when a proud Benissa delegation will attend the award ceremony.
