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Benidorm ‘hasn’t given up hope’ on British tourists returning this summer despite 14-day quarantine restrictions

BENIDORM hasn't "given up hope" on British tourists returning to its beaches despite fears of Spanish holidays being off the cards this year.

Mayor Toni Perez said he is confident Covid-19 will not beat Britain's love affair with the famous Costa Blanca resort, with four out of every ten holidaymakers coming from the UK.

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Benidorm has already begun opening some bars and there are still hopes Brits will be back this year
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Benidorm has already begun opening some bars and there are still hopes Brits will be back this yearCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Spain currently has more than 272,000 cases of coronavirus, and 23,000 confirmed deaths.

It has now enforced a 14-day quarantine on anyone entering the country from today.

Mr Perez, town mayor since June 2015, said: “The British are our number one international tourists. 

“Benidorm is their home and I’m sure we’ll be in many peoples’ minds this summer if they can’t end up coming.

“The horizon we’re looking at in terms of being able to receive the numbers of tourists we had when we started to empty hotels on March 14 is March next year.

“But I haven’t given up hope of seeing British tourists back this summer."

The mayor of Benidorm said he believes Brits will come back to the party resort this summer
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The mayor of Benidorm said he believes Brits will come back to the party resort this summerCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“We don’t know if there’ll be a treatment or vaccine by then or how the pandemic will have evolved here or in Britain.

“Whatever the date Benidorm will be prepared when British holidaymakers can come here and we will welcome them with open arms.”

The local authority is still finalising details of how it will re-open its beaches up to the general population, although Mr Perez has ruled out the use of plexiglass cubicles to box off visitors and hinted technology will play a big part in making sure social distancing is respected.

But some bars have already re-opened as part of the easing of restrictions and the sun was out in Benidorm on Monday when the first customers came back.

Brit expats, some with no face masks on but their shirts off so they could top up their tans, were able to enjoy their first pub pints in nearly two months.

Customers can only be served on outside bar tables until restrictions are eased further - expected the week after next - but the town is slowly getting back to business. 

Anyone entering Spain will have to quarantine for 14 days from today
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Anyone entering Spain will have to quarantine for 14 days from todayCredit: Getty Images - Getty

At the moment last orders are more UK-style with an 11pm closing time being agreed between the town hall and local business owners.

But Mr Perez, whose town has been hit by the double whammy of a Spanish quarantine on international travellers which starts today and a UK quarantine announced last Sunday, is predicting normal Spanish-style timetables will kick in as the summer draws nearer.

He insisted yesterday: “No-one has banned late-night drinking in Benidorm as some UK reports have suggested. 

“The 11pm closing time was something we agreed with local business owners out of respect and comprehension for the current situation more than anything else.

“Spain’s still in a state of emergency and millions of people here are still subject to time constraints on when they can go out to do things like sport or spend leisure time with their children.

“It didn’t seem appropriate in those circumstances for people to be leaving their homes at midnight to go for a drink."

Cases in Spain are some of the highest in the world
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Cases in Spain are some of the highest in the world

“But that will change in the coming weeks if the health situation continues to improve and the confinement measures are eased again.

“Benidorm will be a safe place and a prepared place in this new reality we are all living and peoples’ health will always be paramount even though the economy is also very important."

“But Benidorm will also be a fun place and I hope British people will be able to savour it very shortly, whether they’re first-time visitors or regulars.

“It’s bad news for us that Britain is going to impose its own quarantine and it’s bad news for those Brits who were planning on going abroad this summer.

“That’s a domestic issue first and foremost and each country has to regulate in the way its sees best.

“But we will continue to work on being better."

“When British holidaymakers can return here they’ll be coming to a safer resort and they’ll feel even more comfortable and at home than they have over so many years here.”

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Benidorm's legendary Tiki Beach bar is back in business after Spain's coronavirus lockdown.

The famous Costa Blanca watering hole - now re-named Aloha Beach Bar - is said to have taken over a bar next door so holidaymakers can enjoy their booze whilst maintaining a sensible distance.

Brits in Benidorm enjoy first pub pint in almost two months but immediately ditch the facemasks

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