Benidorm is once again pulling in summer sized crowds in the middle of November.
Figures from HOSBEC show a hotel occupancy rate of 96.8 percent during the town’s patron saint festivities. These figures are about as close to full as you can get in the city’s open hotels.
Most of the rush is centred on the middle of the week, thanks to the famous Fancy Dress Party on Thursday 13 November. Every year it attracts around thirty thousand British visitors and residents in costume. The event has grown into one of the biggest parties in Europe.
The hotel association says occupancy for that day is expected to top 97.2%, a level you would normally expect on an August bank holiday rather than near the end of the season. The overlap between the local celebrations and this much loved British event has packed out hotels, bars, and the city centre all week long.
It is estimated that one in every two tourists staying in Benidorm will be British, a clear sign of how loyal this market continues to be. The mix of local tradition and international fun keeps the city high on the list of favourite destinations for foreign visitors even when summer has long gone.
The business association points out that the success of these festivities helps reduce seasonality. It also shows how sustainable tourism can blend with local customs, creating a great atmosphere for both residents and visitors.
