Benidorm Festival draws large crowds from across Europe, with travelers packing bags to cheer for Spain’s Eurovision hopefuls. Hotels fill quickly during festival weekends, reaching well over 82% occupancy and staying near 80% on weekdays. The hospitality sector thrives as hotels host event-related professionals, performers, and fans alike.
From late January to early February, Benidorm feels like peak season. The festival’s third edition has become a must-see for many visitors, extending the city’s tourism season and shifting patterns even before the Benidorm Fest itself. This disruption signals a real change in the city’s tourism dynamics, widening its appeal beyond traditional peak times.
Interest isn’t limited to those reaching the semi-finals or grand finale. Thousands arrive to soak up several days of Eurovision energy, sample local cuisine, and enjoy parallel events. Street activities, concerts, and live broadcasts at Teknohito add layers to the festival experience beyond the Palau d’Esports grounds.
Hotel statistics reflect the impact. Hosbec’s occupancy forecast shows an average weekly occupancy of 72.2% from January 29 to February 4, with numbers rising over the weekend as late decisions join the on-site celebration. By Friday to Sunday, occupancy climbs to 77.3%, with some days already surpassing 82%. “We hope occupancy will climb a few more points,” stated Mayte García, the festival’s general secretary, in a local interview. The 2023 average was 68.2% for the week and 76.7% for the weekend, underscoring a stronger performance this year (Hosbec occupancy forecast).
Hospitality leaders view Benidorm Fest as a key driver, repositioning the city as a prominent European destination. Festival attendees typically plan a full entertainment itinerary and spend more on average than other visitors, enhancing the city’s image as a versatile destination (García, hospitality sector commentary). This shift is linked to the profile of visitors drawn to such events who recognize Benidorm’s multifaceted appeal (García, hospitality sector commentary).
The street presence of festival fans is most noticeable around midday and during breaks between shows. Fans explore the city’s culinary scene and engage in experiences like “Tapa Fest.” Young attendees stimulate the local economy, with a study by the Pedro Zaragoza Chair of Tourism Studies showing an average visitor expenditure of about €232 in 2023, and day-trippers spending roughly €68. These numbers may rise this year, contributing to a regional tourism turnover forecast of €5 million in accommodation and related services (Pedro Zaragoza Chair of Tourism Studies; Turisme Comunitat Valenciana).
Vacationers visiting for the Benidorm festival
Recent days reveal groups of youths with festival accreditation and Benidorm Fest logos forming part of a European fan network traveling for music. “We saved holidays for this week. We don’t come from far, but we had to be here,” explains a participant. Some travel from nearby towns or work remotely to stay for the week, making this period feel almost sacred for them (festival participants, local voices).
On-site terraces around Benidorm illustrate the scale of the phenomenon. The city’s tourism economy benefits from fans who extend their stay to enjoy multiple experiences beyond the festival itself (local accommodation operators; tourism studies).
Another group snapping photos along the Levante coast notes this is their second visit to Benidorm and their longest stay yet. They plan to attend concerts at Teknohito and watch the final from a single viewing point, underscoring the festival’s ability to inspire multi-day engagement (fan testimonials; Teknohito schedule notes).
The upcoming weekend is expected to be pivotal for tourism activity. Alex Fratini, vice president of the Bars, Restaurants, Cafes and Nightlife Association, notes more visitors and daytime foot traffic, with stronger flows predicted for Friday and Saturday and a notable Sunday turnout. The festival’s momentum translates into higher customer activity across the city, according to Fratini (Abreca commentary).
Observers point out that the festival has boosted accommodation figures and higher spend than during similar periods without the event. Projections suggest this year could see around 10% more bills issued than last year, with the festival already tripling activity seen on the same dates before its inception. Festival followers tend to spend more across dining, nightlife, and local gastronomy, strengthening Benidorm’s appeal as a dynamic tourism hub (Fratini; local economic analyses).
With the success of the first two editions, observers will watch how Benidorm Fest evolves as a premier tourist event alongside its musical impact. Ongoing evaluation will consider how the festival shapes long-term visitor behavior and the broader tourism ecosystem (economic analysis).