Holidaymakers have shared their shock over how quiet the streets of a popular Spanish tourist spot have been this summer – but people say there’s an obvious reason for it
It’s usually packed with holidaymakers – but this summer, the once-popular Spanish tourist hotspot turned into a ‘ghost town’. Footage shows the streets of Benidorm to be the “quietest they’ve seen” since Brits were locked up at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While some have been having to sacrifice their holidays due to the cost of living crisis, others have been swapping Spain for Turkey thanks to its “half price deals”. On TikTok, user Harry Tokky said: “Benidorm is a ghost town in July? I’ve never seen it this quiet. Where is everyone? I’m on the Benidorm strip, there’s barely any people. This is crazy. Honestly, it’s mind-blowing. This is the quietest I’ve ever seen Benidorm.”
Elsewhere on TikTok, another user said: “Brits are flocking to Turkey because it’s half the price of Benidorm and you get all inclusive. I’ve never seen it this quiet in August.”
However, some believed they knew the reason for it being so quiet.
Commenting on their posts, one user said: “Benidorm is becoming a ***hole. Plus people are fed up with having their phones stolen by the street thieves.”
Another user added: “Police fault. Constantly stopping and searching people for no reason people getting fed up.”
Meanwhile, others claim to have turned their back on the Spanish hotspot because it has upped its prices on hotels, drinks and activities.
A third user said: “Benidorm is taking the p*** now. Still cheap drink in places but hotels prices are extortionate.
“They did it back in the 90s and Brits started to go to Greece. Benidorm started crying and begged for us back. It’s going to happen again.”
One user said: “Turkey is 10 times better and cheaper. It’s a shame but they have killed Benidorm now.”
Whereas another user shared how they’d love to go on a holiday to either Benidorm or Turkey – but they’re unable to due to the cost of living crisis.
They said: “People just cant afford a holiday anymore. UK has destroyed peoples incomes.”
However, others claim Benidorm has been just as busy as ever, with one user saying: “Just got back last week. Benidorm was packed.
“Try Broadway at 02:00, or tavern at 00:00 rammed. Buckets five bottles during day for 10 Euro. Jokers buy one get one free so massive vodkas for 7 Euro. Turkey way more expensive than that.”
Another user argued: “July and August in Benidorm have never been British months. Around 80 per cent of the tourists who come then arrive by car or bus: a lot of Portuguese, French, Italians, and of course Spanish.
“For agencies like ours, July and August are actually low season for British tourism – the English, Irish, Dutch, and Norwegians come the rest of the year.
“The funny thing is that right now there are actually more Brits in August than ever before. And I know what I’m talking about – I work in the sector, I was born in Benidorm, and I’ve seen the city evolve in every way.”