New York City Tourism in a Blink

By: andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.com
Benidorm is one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations for both British and Dutch tourists. But it owes its entire current day prominence as a desirable resort to the pluck of its current mayor Pedro Zaragoza, for it was he that single-handedly started the beach revolution in Spain in 1953.

Ideally located on the Costa Blanca coast of Alicante, the fishing village of Benidorm had everything required to become a successful resort; long sandy beaches on the edge of the gorgeous blue Mediterranean Sea, fantastic year-round sunshine, and plenty of room to build brand new hotels. Yet, in the early 1950s visitors were staying away.

A young entrepreneur named Pedro Zaragoza was convinced that the biggest single reason for the no-shows was because women were banned from wearing bikinis in public. There was little point in spending time on the beach if you were forced by law to remain covered, so Pedro knew there what he must do; go to Madrid and persuade Spain’s Dictator General Franco to overturn the ban that applied throughout the deeply religious Roman Catholic country.

The bikini ban was the only thing preventing the transformation of his idyllic, but financially bereft fishing village into a lucrative holiday destination. So, in an act of bravado Zaragoza got on his Vespa scooter and rode for eight hours to plead an audience with Franco. Still wearing his oil-stained trousers, Pedro sat in front of the dictator and passionately made his case. Remarkably Franco agreed to overturn the ban.

Fast forward 55 years and Benidorm is now a thriving holiday resort, reminiscent of a miniature New York, with many ‘skyscraper’ hotels dotted along the length of its three beautiful EU blue-flag beaches; Poniente, Levante and Mal Pas.

Plucky Pedro is now in his 80s, still Mayor of Benidorm and definitely has no regrets at the outcome of his long scooter ride, over 55 years ago. Indeed, he continues to promote his home village - which is now a leading European holiday resort - and was recently spotted at the opening of the newest and highest Benidorm hotel. Although much of the beachside Benidorm accommodation is offered in high-rise hotels such as the new building, there are also a significant number of villas in the resort for those without a head for heights, or a need for something more private.

As well as beach developments, Pedro and his fellow Benidorm businessmen have heavily invested in family-friendly water and theme parks. Close to Levante are two superb parks; Aqualandia Water Amusement park and Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park.

Further inland is the marvellous Terra Mitic, which is themed into four areas based on the ancient civilizations of Rome, Egypt, Greece and Iberia with the lslands area in the centre being the hub between them all. The park features thrilling rides including inverted roller-coasters and other adrenaline-boosting rides and when combined with all the other attractions in Benidorm proves irresistible to many holidaymakers.

Benidorm is now a world away from its fishing village roots, with many of its residents boasting a standard of living the likes of which they could never have imagined back in 1953 - before Pedro jumped on his bike and visited the General!