The plan — called ‘Benidorm Island’ – aims to charter one or two flights of tourists from the UK to test out the destination’s health and safety procedures.

The Town Hall, via the Visit Benidorm organisation, said a travel ‘bubble’ could then be created where passengers from the UK to Alicante-Elche airport will get COVID-19 tests on departure and arrival.

The project will also give the pilot British tourists a Hospitality Team to follow up with each of them for 14 days after returning home.

A hotel will also be set aside for any tourists who test COVID-19  positive during their stay in Benidorm.

For the plan to work, however, Benidorm will need to convince the British government to relax the 14-day quarantine currently imposed upon all returning travellers from any part of Spain.

The flights will reportedly carry journalists to share positive media and build trust in the potential safe travel corridor.

Jet2 are reported to be backing the project.

Wednesday’s announcement

Benidorm’s mayor, Toni Pérez from the centre-right Partido Popular, announced the plan last Wednesday alongside:

• Local government officials
• Politicians at the provincial (Alicante) and autonomous (Comunidad Valenciana) levels
• The Hosbec hotel and tourism association
• Private hospital representatives
• Alicante-Elche airport representatives
• Leading travel agent representatives.

Leire Bilbao, director of Benidorm’s official tourism board – Visit Benidorm – said the name ‘Benidorm Island’ was chosen due to the UK’s preferential treatment to Spain’s islands over mainland destinations.

She stressed that all involved in the project would make Benidorm a ‘bubble destination’, ensuring that customers go from ‘airport to the city’ and will not leave these areas.

The project will be put before respective authorities in Spain and the UK.

Safe travel corridor

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is currently warning British nationals against all-but-essential travel to all parts of Spain.

Spain was added on 26th July, followed by the Balearics.

The concept of a safe travel corridor between the UK and Benidorm is not new: the UK has exempted the Greek islands while advising against travel to the Greek mainland.

Toni Pérez told press earlier this month that a safe travel corridor was on the table and waiting the ‘green light from the Spanish and British governments’ was pending.

“This summer we have worked with successful formulas that have demonstrated the minimisation of the risk and impact of coronavirus, as well as the work capacity and professionalism with which the situation has been managed,” Mr. Perez said.

He said ‘not a single case’ has been registered among international tourists, and said he was ‘disappointed’ the UK government was putting efforts into regenerating tourism to the Spanish islands over the mainland.

“This practice began in July and we have already transferred our most absolute disagreement,” he said.

The post “BENIDORM ISLAND” – Benidorm’s plan to create a COVID-safe travel corridor with the UK appeared first on Benidorm Reviews - Official News & Reviews Website.

Yesterday myself and a member of staff visited 6 Benidorm’s bustling hotels and spoke with management to ask their view on the Coronavirus and the effect it is having on tourism.

The hotels are saying not to cancel your St Patricks Day holiday, come and enjoy your well-earned time away.  All 6 hotels advised us that they are NOT in a state of panic but have put measures in place to help keep away the virus from Benidorm.

We asked them what their measures consisted of…

• All public areas already have notices and hand sanitiser in place for clients to use freely, staff are also trained to politely point this out to holiday makers. 

• In all of our public toilets, spa’s, community changing areas and hotel rooms we have provided hand soap for our guests use. 

• In public areas we have staff attending to items that are regulally touched, for exaple… lift buttons, hand rails, counter tops and door handles on a regular basis. 

• Our staff will not shake your hand but will now bow their heads instead. 

• Our cleaning staff are offered extra working hours to make sure all areas are to a high standard of cleanliness.

• All staff who work at our hotels will adhere hygiene and cleanliness information that we have provided them. 

Benidorm town hall has announced that the Fallas (a Spanish fiesta) here on the Costa Blanca have been postponed (not cancelled) this does NOT mean that the Irish St Patricks Day celebrations are to come to a halt.  They advised that while you are here, please be aware as you would at home to wash your hands on a regular basis.

The Benidorm Fallas have been postponed until further notice do to the Benidorm Council wanting to lessen the risk of people standing shoulder to shoulder in crowds for a period of time to help combat the risk of the infection reaching Benidorm. 

On walking between hotels we noticed how busy Benidorm was with the Cheltenham raced, talking to the Tourists they say the hotels are cleaner than their homes and the Atmosphere is still the same amazing Benidorm it always has been. 

The Hotel Marina in the center of Benidorm, with many holiday makers enjoying the sun while watching Cheltenham Races on the afternoon of 10th March 2020.

Here at Benidorm Reviews we was pleasantly surprised with the effort the hotels are making to make you feel safe. Every step is being made to make sure you have a pleasant holiday and the only Corona you will be seeing will be in bottled form. 

Katie – The Benidorm Reviews Team 

The post Don’t Panic for Benidorm Paddie’s Celebrations! appeared first on Benidorm Reviews - Official News & Reviews Website.