A viral TikTok video has sparked debate about whether Spain's most popular resort has become a "ghost town" during peak summer season. The footage shows eerily deserted streets and shuttered bars in Benidorm, traditionally packed with British holidaymakers.
The shocked tourist behind the camera asked: "If you're in Benidorm right now, what do you think? Why do you think it's so quiet? Why is nobody around? Even this bar here is fully shut down." He added: "We're in the height of summer. Everywhere should be absolutely rammed, but it's not. It's absolutely dead."
Spain is experiencing its first decline in tourist numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Daily Mail, Costa Blanca's holiday rental sector saw a 2.2% drop in tourist numbers during the first half of the year, with numbers hitting a low of 57% in March.
Protests blamed for decline
Months of anti-tourism protests across popular Spanish destinations appear to be deterring visitors. Demonstrations have swept through Barcelona, Majorca, the Canary Islands and Costa Blanca, with protesters demanding limits on tourism due to rising housing costs and overcrowding.
Local residents have expressed relief about the tourism decline on social media. One person wrote: "The news is painted as bad but the reality is that it's good. Tourism is fine but the tourist mass coming to Malaga was more than the city could handle."
Conflicting tourist reports
Not all visitors agree with the "ghost town" assessment. One tourist responded to the viral video: "I'm here now. It's rammed - busiest I've seen Benidorm." Another added: "It's busy at night, not the day time."
Travel operators remain optimistic about the destination. Thomas Cook suggests August as the perfect time for beach enthusiasts, noting that "the average temperature is a lovely 25°C and has been known to reach around 30°C."
Industry concerns mount
Tourism officials across Spain report significant impacts from the anti-tourism sentiment. In Majorca, restaurant association president Juanmi Ferrer warned that protest messaging is "scaring visitors away."
Tour guide sales have dropped by 20% this summer, with British, German and Italian tourists all reportedly choosing alternative destinations. The decline has prompted some managers to give staff unexpected holidays during what should be the busiest period.
Sources used: "Daily Mail", "Edinburgh Live", "Mirror", "Bristol Post"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
