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Benidorm Brits splash out while Spanish diners tighten their belts
High-end restaurants see spending rise as British tourists drive a shift in Benidorm’s dining scene
A quiet shift has been happening in Benidorm’s hospitality scene this summer, and local restaurant owners are starting to take notice. According to the local hospitality association Abreca, the typical customer profile is changing - and it’s British visitors who are now leading the charge when it comes to dining out.Abreca reports a clear difference in spending habits between Spanish and British tourists. Budget-friendly eateries are seeing an 8 percent drop in customer spending, something the group puts down to fewer Spanish diners or a drop in their overall consumption. On the flip side, high-end restaurants in prime spots like the seafront and town centre have seen a 5 percent increase in spending, despite rising menu prices.
“There’s been a shift in the kind of British visitor coming here,” explained Alex Fratini, a spokesperson for Abreca. “It’s not just the usual crowds from industrial cities on week-long holidays. We’re seeing more affluent tourists, possibly professionals who used to choose long-haul destinations before Brexit. Now they’re discovering more of Benidorm, not just the English zone, and that’s reflected in where they’re eating.”
The association doesn’t seem too concerned about the dip in Spanish spending. Fratini said the season has been positive overall, despite some people thinking last summer was better. “There’s this perception based on how good the second half of August was last year, but people forget that the start of the season wasn’t so strong. That’s just selective memory. We prefer to look at daily cash closings.”
Because of this steady performance, no new campaigns are planned to attract more domestic tourists. Instead, efforts remain focused on year-round events like Benidorm Gastronómica and international sports competitions that help keep business flowing in the off-season.
Fratini also pointed to another bit of good news: restaurants are now able to keep staff employed for most of the year. The result has been more stability in the workforce, easing the hiring struggles that have dogged the sector for years.
All in all, while Spanish diners might be spending a little less, British visitors seem to be picking up the tab.
You might also like: Where to find the best British fish and chip shop in Benidorm
Image: Joaquin Carfagna/Pexels
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