While protests against overtourism rock Spain’s hotspots like Barcelona and Mallorca, Benidorm—the Mediterranean resort town—is doubling down on its decades-old mass tourism blueprint. Born under General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in the 1950s, this sun-soaked destination still thrives on skyscrapers, bikinis, and package deals. 🏖️
"We’re a factory of happiness," says Angela Barcelo, 72, owner of Hotel Les Dunes. Her family’s story mirrors Benidorm’s rise: Her grandmother opened the hotel in 1957, a time when Spanish women needed their husbands’ permission to open bank accounts. "Men were at sea; women built this city," Barcelo adds, highlighting how female entrepreneurs transformed fishing villages into a global tourism powerhouse. 💼✨
Critics call the model outdated, but Benidorm’s economy relies on its 200+ hotels and 12 million annual visitors. As other destinations pivot to sustainability, this coastal giant bets on its Franco-era roots—proving sometimes, old-school glitz still sells. 🌟
