With a clear schedule in motion, the Generalitat Valenciana has set plans in motion for the forthcoming cycle of events. RTVE is gearing up to lay the groundwork for Benidorm Fest 2024, introducing fresh elements that will mark the edition with new energy. Among the highlights for the year, the Benidorm Summer Festival 2024 will debut as a companion event, pairing the main festival with a summer program and a broad array of simultaneous activities designed to extend the cultural experience well beyond the festival dates.
The President of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, voiced satisfaction with the progress of the third edition, stressing the importance of attracting international attention to showcase the region. He emphasized the role of major events in sustaining local potential, boosting economic growth, and promoting social advancement while encouraging de-seasonalization in the slower autumn and winter periods.
The Tourism General Manager, Herick Campos, described the festival as a benchmark for European audiences, highlighting ambitious occupancy objectives for the next edition. The plan is to exceed 90 percent occupancy in hotels and apartments around Benidorm, with full catering services in and around the city. This initiative will be pursued through a diverse mix of cultural, entertainment, and gastronomic programs running in parallel with the festival, ensuring a rich and immersive visitor experience.
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The competition dates remain to be confirmed, constrained by the agreement between RTVE and the European Broadcasting Union. The formal details of the 2024 collaboration will be finalized in the annual protocol to be signed after the Eurovision Song Contest concludes. The evolving arrangement will guide how the festival and related events unfold over the calendar year.
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RTVE has released the competition rules for the upcoming cycle, announcing several innovations that include a summer edition designed to deliver guaranteed entertainment. The Benidorm Summer Festival 2024 is envisioned as a vibrant showcase with candidates invited to participate in all associated activities and programs, including press conferences, interviews, receptions, and parties organized by RTVE in connection with the 2024 Benidorm Fest. This expanded format aims to engage audiences across channels and to bring more comprehensive coverage and interaction for participants and fans alike.
The organizers have also indicated a willingness to act decisively, fielding nominations under pressure and aligning event calendars to maximize participation. Plans cover not only the 2024 edition but also continued appearances in the Benidorm Fest 2024 Christmas Gala and the Benidorm Fest 2025 Galas, with additional cultural milestones such as Madrid’s LGTBI+ Pride 2024 and the yet-scheduled Three Kings’ Float Parade 2025, all integrated into the broader festival ecosystem even as competition results unfold.
This year’s applications for the new Benidorm Fest edition open from May 16 to October 10. The winner will be selected as Spain’s representative in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. The guidelines indicate flexibility in entries, now accepting songs that do not require a separate performer to interpret them, provided they are original and unreleased and have not been fully distributed before September 1, 2023. This broader approach aims to diversify the pool while maintaining a high standard of artistry for the national selection process. [RTVE, 2024]
As outlined in the rules, once the submission window closes, RTVE will finalize a roster of up to sixteen participants and six substitutes, ensuring a compact yet competitive lineup for the national final. [RTVE, 2024]