
Brit in Spain claims usual holiday hotspot has turned into 'ghost town' this July
As the summer season hits its peak, many of us have planned holidays for a much-needed dose of sunshine and a break from the daily grind. One destination that consistently draws in crowds is Benidorm, a favourite amongst families as well as stag and hen parties. The Spanish resort town is a hit with Brits due to its budget-friendly accommodation, reasonably priced food and drink, and a plethora of activities - not forgetting its legendary nightlife. Typically, it sees the most visitors between June and August.
However, one Brit who made the move to Benidorm has been taken aback by how unusually quiet it is this July. Harry Poulton, 24, who relocated to Benidorm following his first lads' holiday at 18, has likened the current state of the Costa Del Sol to "like a ghost town". On TikTok, Harry expressed his surprise: "Benidorm is a ghost town...in July?! I've never seen it this quiet. Where is everyone?!".
In his video, he can be seen standing on the main strip, remarking: "It's the middle of July, look behind me, it's dead. I'm on the Benidorm strip, there's barely any people, this is crazy."
"I cannot believe it, this is the quietest I've ever seen Benidorm," he added.
One holidaymaker currently in Benidorm responded in the comments: "Currently in Benners. Our first trip here and I was expecting carnage. It's full of families."
Another echoed this sentiment, saying: "In Benny now, it's packed with families instead of stags and hens,".
Another concurred, remarking: "We went July one year [and it] was all Spanish families around the pool."
Another chimed in: "No one has any money. Also the price they charge to go in summer are scandalous."
An additional comment highlighted: "It's like this every July, August. Shocking but reality, it's too warm and very expensive."
Someone else added: "The price has gone up, we came two years ago it was coming up as one of the cheapest places to visit, now it's definitely not. However, once you have been you know it's worth every penny."
Yet another person observed: "I was there between 8th and 15th and it was a lot quieter than it was two summers ago. Price of holidays are going through the roof."
Thomas Cook, which transitioned from a former airline to an online travel agency, recommends August as the prime time for a Benidorm holiday. The company advised: "If you love hot and sunny weather, the best time of year to visit Benidorm would be during August, which is the hottest month in the resort.
"The average temperature throughout August is a lovely 25C and has been known to reach around the 30C mark. If you enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea, August is the best month for that too, with the average sea temperature also being a comfortable 25C."

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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos
IT'S midnight and Boozers Fest Bar is packed to the rafters with a host of 18 to twentysomethings, all jostling to play a wild new drinking game. This Dutch -run party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth. 18 18 18 18 As they drink, the crowd whoops and hollers and the room, no doubt, starts to spin. Kim, 21, falls foul of the snap, and tells me: 'It's like being a kid again, but with an extra hit. 'We love it here — fun and alcohol, what more could you want?' So far, so typical of a Spanish holiday for British youngsters, many on their first sunshine break without mum and dad cramping their style. But while this bar is bursting, the same cannot be said for other venues in the Spanish resort town of Lloret de Mar. With 100-plus bars and clubs, it was once branded the country's 'party capital' but now many of the venues sit partially empty or closed — an unwelcome result of the nationwide anti-tourist protests that have driven customers away. As a result, the pub owners and party organisers here are pleading with high-spending Brits to return. Currently, the town is besieged by Dutch and German tours of under age teens, who barely spend any money and demand that prices stay low or they won't come. Drinks prices on this section of the Costa Brava haven't risen since 2018, so shots are on offer for one euro (87p) and cocktails for eight euros (£7). Locals are now yearning for its early-Noughties heyday when it was a Club 18-30 destination for Brits. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Local shop owner Mohan, 45, told The Sun: 'Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. "We love English tourists here because they spend the most. 'Yes, some get a bit drunk and loud, but that's not the end of the world. 'The protests in Barcelona have put people off coming here. It's July, and it's not as busy as it should be. 'We want tourists to know they are welcome. I've lived in Lloret since 1999 and everyone here wants more Brits — more tourists, not less.' Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. We love English tourists here because they spend the most Mohan, Local shop owner Last year 18.4million of us headed to Spain, contributing £20billion to the country's economy, according to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism. But over-tourism has been blamed for inflating Spain's housing crisis, with protesters in Barcelona, the Balearics and Canary Islands holding signs saying 'Tourists go home' and 'Foreigners not welcome'. Lloret is not immune to the housing concerns of places such as Ibiza and Tenerife, but instead of blaming the tourists they have targeted their anger at the government. Officials have responded by cracking down on unlicensed accommodation, which last week saw cops raid 23 illegal tourist flats and slap the owners with fines of up to £20,000. Restaurant Pinocchio owner Claudio La Face, 37, explained: 'Unlicensed holiday flats are a problem because people are concerned about renting to locals as if there is a problem, such as not paying rent, there is little they can do. "On top of that, many prefer to rent to tourists because they can make a lot of money, despite the risk of big fines.' 'Better than Benidorm' 18 18 18 Italian Claudio, who has lived in Lloret for 12 years, said he struggles to understand the anti- tourist protests happening in other parts of Spain. 'It has affected our numbers here, especially this year,' he said. 'But we need tourists in Lloret, we love them. Most of Spain needs tourists too, so protesting against them doesn't help anyone. "Tourists should come to Lloret for the good weather, the beautiful beaches, and amazing food options. Plus there are lots of cultural places around here to visit, such as Girona.' One of the biggest draws to the town is its party district, home to one of the world's best clubs, Tropics. The main strip, Avenue Just Marles Vilarrodona, is full of venues that can hold thousands of revellers, and the winding side streets boast a seemingly unending array of cocktail bars offering outrageous drinking games. Don't Let The Duck Out sees players put on a swim cap and snorkelling goggles to try to grab a bottle of alcohol from a large water bowl. Essentially it's boozy apple bobbing. British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret. Lucy said: 'My sister recommended it, and it's crazy here. We have no regrets booking it. It's fun.' Other Brits out on the lash include Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, who booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website. For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool Ollie Bott They've flown out with six mates, who they have managed to lose by the time they bump into The Sun. Ollie said: 'For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool.' Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, are here for their honeymoon. 'It wasn't quite what we expected for our honeymoon, but we love how lively it is,' courier Phillip said. 'I'd certainly come back here with the lads, or let my sons have their first drinking holiday here as it feels really safe. There's nice food and the booze is cheap. 'Plus everyone here has been really friendly compared to other holidays we've been on.' Couple Paul Willmot and Janette Machin, both 57, from Bridlington, Yorks, reckon it could even start to rival Brit favourite Benidorm. Janette said: 'It's been really great so far. It has potential and reminds me of Beni and Sunny Beach before they got super-popular. We didn't let the protests in other parts of Spain put us off, and no one else should either.' 18 18 18 Standing in doorways and draped over pavements are revellers debating which bar to move to next. Some are being shepherded by tour operators. 'A little rowdy' Back on the main street are Disco Londoner and Touch Down Sports bar, both owned by Marcus Faraji. He told The Sun: 'Ninety per cent of the industry here is based around tourism, even if it's not directly. 'More needs to be done to educate locals that their livelihoods and comforts come from tourists being welcome here. This is getting lost because many people are so worried about the housing issues. 'The drinking tourism we get upsets some, and they complain that people don't come here to visit cultural places, but the truth is we don't have the infrastructure for that. "Many of the tourists that come here are in groups organised by tour operators, who take up bulk bookings at hotels. 'It means we have to keep drinks cheap, because if we raise our prices they threaten to not come. 'But some of the people they bring are as young as 16, so we won't serve them anyway, and they don't have a lot of money to spend, which harms the economy. 'English people don't travel in the same way. We would like more of them because they spend a huge amount on both restaurants and on alcohol.' Bars caught serving booze to someone under age risk a fine of £2,600 for each case — and the drinker can be handed a £850 fine. Local businessman Igor Peyman, 54, is also keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret. He said: 'English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. 'They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all. There is so much for people to enjoy here so we hope they aren't put off by the protests in other parts of Spain.' 'Spanish Blackpool' But not everyone is a fan of Lloret. Holidaymaker Amanda, from Stratford-upon-Avon, West Mids, reckons it's essentially ' Blackpool in Spain'. She added: 'You do have to look for the nicer places to go as the centre is very young and aimed at a younger crowd.' Her pal Michele agreed, but added: 'Everyone has been really friendly, and you don't get hassled to go to restaurants or shops. Parts of the town are quite dated and need investment.' We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where people can use the toilets Tattoo shop worker Jose Tattoo shop worker Jose, 30, is keen for Lloret to only welcome tourists who will be respectful. He said: 'We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where people can use the toilets. 'Tourists who want to have fun but appreciate we live here are always welcome, even if they're a little rowdy. 'Lloret is a poor town, and most of us have to earn our living for the year in the space of six weeks. "We love tourists and we always want them to come here.' 18 18 18 18 18 What is overtourism? Overtourism is where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity. The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues. As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals. Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources. In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism. These include:


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Barcelona 'hostile city' for visitors as tourist tax doubles to 15 Euros a night
Barcelona has voted to double the tourist tax to €8 by 2029, and the surcharge, added to the Catalan tourist tax, means some tourists will have to pay up to €15 a night Tourists visiting Barcelona are facing paying up to €15 (£13) a night for overnight stays in a shock new move. The Spanish city has voted to double the controversial tourist tax to €8 (£7) by 2029. The decision was taken yesterday by Barcelona council, with officials agreeing: "The more tourists pay, the less residents will have to." The tourist tax will rise by €1 (£0.87) each year from now on until it reaches the historic high of €8 in 2029. The measure approved will see the surcharge rise to €5 (£4.3) in 2026, €6 (£5.2) in 2027, €7 (£6.1) in 2028, and finally €8 in 2029 - double Barcelona city's current tourist tax surcharge of €4 (£3.50). The surcharge is in addition to the Catalan tourist tax, which varies according to the type of accommodation and stay. The Catalan tourist tax is expected to increase later this year, up to €7 per night for five-star hotels, meaning some tourists could face a total charge of €15 in 2029. "The more tourists pay, the less residents will have to," said Esquerra Republicana (ERC) leader Elisenda Alamany after Friday's council session. Her party proposed the surcharge increase, and the measure passed with support from the ruling Socialists, and Barcelona en Comú. Junts abstained while the People's Party (PP) and Vox voted against. "Managing tourism is common sense in this city," she said ahead of the vote, stressing that the debate wasn't about being for or against tourism, but about shifting perspective: "Recovering that income allows us to ensure balance and build a successful city." Speaking to reporters after the vote, she welcomed the "solid majority" backing the measure, saying the aim was for tourists to contribute more. Deputy Mayor for Economy and Tourism, Jordi Valls, expressed the city government's support for the measure, noting that the tourist surcharge already helps fund key areas such as public transport, safety, and climate initiatives. He said they welcomed the phased approach in ERC's proposal, allowing the sector to adapt gradually as the tax increases. "The city recognises that tourism is a key part of our economy, but there is consensus that it must be properly managed, and that includes the sector itself," he said. The political parties PP and Vox have rejected the increase in the amount of the surcharge and claim tourism is "criminalised". The PP says it will turn Barcelona "into a city hostile to visitors". The measure is conditional on the Parliament approving, foreseeably in October, a modification of the current limit of this rate. Only with that approval, the city council will be able to include the new calendar of increases in the tax ordinances that must be approved before the end of the year. Elisenda Alamany said: "Governing tourism is no longer to be on the right or the left, it is common sense. If we do not govern tourism, the city changes and will change and it will be even more difficult to continue living."


Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Angry mum leaves Butlin's after 'beds wet' and daughter had 'poo on hands'
Mum Jasmine took to TikTok to share her disappointment with the accommodation at the Skegness holiday park. Butlin's has apologised after a family checked in to a "grimy" and "damp" room which was "in need of a massive deep clean". Mum Jasmine took to TikTok to share her disappointment with the accommodation at the Skegness holiday park. Sharing clips of the filthy room with her 19,000 followers, she said: "I could make a 10-minute video on all of the issues in here but here's some of them." Jasmine, who went on to give a tour of the room, added: "Even walking up to the room I felt grimy. This is the Butlin's comfort room. This is my sign to not blindly book something hahaha." As reported by the Mirro r, she said they couldn't stand to sleep in the room for more than one night as she showed dirt throughout, including in the shower and the bin. In her voiceover, Jasmine said: "I was meant to book the apartment but I didn't realise. When I first walked in there and I saw there's only two rooms and one bathroom in the middle, I thought, 'Where's the rest of it?'. "I am going to emphasise that was not Butlin's fault at all though to be fair - it was my fault. So anyway I don't know if the videos can do it justice because the smell when I walked in there was just absolutely wild. "This isn't the cleaner's fault or anything like that - it's the turnover rate is the issue. These rooms need massive deep cleans because a quick once over is not going to help." "I didn't even want to shower in there - in fact, I didn't shower in there. I ended up going to the swimming pools to have a shower. "We spent one night in this room and the beds were so damp - my daughter even woke up asking why the bed was so wet. "I can't explain the smell. I know I keep saying it but it was horrific. The mould was over the windows, there were cobwebs up the walls... This was a dead bug on our bed and then our daughter got poo on her hand walking out and I was like 'nah, that's it, 100% I am going.' "The stuff kids can do here is amazing though - I will not fault Butlins for that. It is just a shame about the room." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A spokesperson for the holiday park said: 'We're sorry and disappointed to see the cleanliness issues the guest experienced with their accommodation. This certainly isn't the high standards we expect our guests to receive when they holiday with us. We carried out a full reclean and offered a gesture of goodwill which was accepted.' Others shared similar experiences in the comments, with one person writing: "This looks so much cleaner than our room [laughing emoji]." Another person said: "Skegness I had the most horrible room haven't ever gone back. It was a hot year window broke couldn't open it, bedding didn't get changed stuff left under the bed etc was horrible." However, another visitor insisted they had only ever had positive experiences at the holiday park, writing: "Which Butlin's is this?? We've always been to skeg one and never had a room like this. That's grim."