ARCHIVED - Benidorm prepares its beaches with Brits set to return from Monday

The coastal resort in Alicante's Marina Baixa comarca on the Costa Blanca is beautifying its beaches and stepping up safety measures.

For decades Benidorm has been a favoured holiday destination for millions of British tourists, and the resort is eager to kick start its recovery in the wake of a brutal year.

As a matter of "urgency" the coastal town is increasing surveillance, recruiting more lifeguards and stepping up its cleaning, disinfection and beach care services.

"Benidorm will do this immediately...in view of the demand projected taking into account the indicators and news confirmed in the last few days," said the council.

The local authority will be referring to the fact Spain has removed essential travel only restrictions for visitors from the UK from May 24, along with plans to allow entry to vaccinated travellers from EU countries from June 7.

Already Alicante-Elche airport is reporting a surge in passengers, with 5,000 passengers from the UK expected through the airport this week and bookings flooding in from Monday onwards.

"Given the obvious willingness of the British to come to the Costa Blanca, every day we are facing better news and the assessment cannot be anything other than positive," said Benidorm Mayor Toni Pérez.

To maintain its position as one of the Costa Blanca's top destinations, efforts are being made to make Benidorm beaches as safe and attractive as possible.

Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas beaches remain divided into plots of 16 square metres for a maximum of four people, or five if one is under six-years-old.

The coastline's surveillance, rescue and first aid services have personnel on each of the beaches, supported by vehicles, boats and ambulances.

And the cleaning and disinfection program has been extended across the sandy areas and coves and will be carried out in morning, afternoon and night shifts.

Sunseekers, bathers and walkers will now be able to use Benidorm's beaches and coves from 7.30am to 10.30pm and from June 1, sunbeds will make a return, though the use of umbrellas remains in the air.

"The entire beach operation is still conditioned by the evolution of regulations and measures determined by the pandemic in terms of restrictions and mobility processes internationally, especially in the UK," stressed the Mayor.

But he remains confident that "good data on the epidemiological evolution in the town, together with the advances in the vaccination program" will lead to "the incorporation of Benidorm to level green in the UK traffic light system for British holidays".

It's advisable to read the Uk Gov travel advice if intending to visit Spain within the next few days.

IMAGE: Ayto de Benidorm