Benidorm Cares for Visitors and Leads the Campaign Against Turismophobia

With the slogan 'I Am Also a Tourist,' the hotel association Hosbec, together with Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and the Alicante Provincial Tourism Board, unveiled their latest promotional campaign this morning in Benidorm.

The promotional spots are now available on various platforms and showcase the coexistence between residents and visitors across different tourist destinations in the Comunitat.

"The message is clear: we want to highlight the importance of tourism because everyone, including residents, is a tourist at some point in their lives," stated Hosbec's General Secretary, Mayte García. She explained that the campaign aims to appeal to emotions and "create a bond between residents and tourists that underscores the importance of responsible tourism, which is a unifying element both socially and economically."

The 'I Am Also a Tourist' campaign covers all areas of the Comunitat Valenciana and depicts everyday situations of residents that also become part of tourist activities, aiming to make visitors feel connected to locals.

This positive and "pro-welcome" campaign, as described by the President of the Alicante Provincial Council and Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, reinforces that "the Comunitat Valenciana does not have a problem with turismophobia," as reiterated by Nuria Montes, Regional Minister for Innovation, Industry, Commerce, and Tourism.

The Regional Minister reminded that "we are all tourists at some point and are very proud to be world leaders in an activity that accounts for 16% of our GDP." She attributed the debate on turismophobia to "xenophobic and classist political positions."

Montes emphasized that tourism "is the great social achievement of our generation and something that unites us." She noted that "those who want to blame and criminalize tourism for some of our societal problems are merely looking for a scapegoat for their own shortcomings."

She advocated for sustainable tourism that evolves towards harmonious coexistence between residents and visitors, aiming to "smooth out any inconveniences this activity may cause, just as industries like fishing, agriculture, or mining do."

Toni Pérez highlighted that Benidorm was chosen to launch this promotional campaign because "Benidorm once again champions tourism as we do every day," noting that "the thousands of people enjoying Benidorm today feel at home, whether they are tourists or residents."

The Mayor of Benidorm called for "the hospitality and generosity of a region" as the cornerstone of tourism. He described the campaign as a way to "open our arms to the world and say that tourism is the most wonderful industry because it is the industry of happiness that allows us to be happy and make others happy."