Politics
Ecstatic Brit holidaymakers fill Benidorm beaches 24 hours after Spain opens to tourists
BENIDORM’S beaches are already seeing filling as Brits return to Spain – after being left deserted just last week.
Up to 100,000 Brits are expected to head to Spain this week, despite the country still being on the amber list.
Benidorm beaches are packed as Brits return to Spain[/caption]
That’s after Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez announced it would allow Brits to return without proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test.
Despite Brits still needing to quarantine when returning to the UK – and warned by Boris Johnson not to go on holiday to amber list destinations – thousands have headed abroad this week.
Flights to Spain are now expected to soar to 80 per cent a day – meaning an estimated 16,000 passengers are set to fly to the popular holiday destination despite the government warning.
There are a number of flights heading to Spain with easyJet, Ryanair and TUI this morning, heading to destinations including Lanzarote, Ibiza and Majorca.
Pictures show the popular Spanish seaside resort full of tourists with the beach and cafes seeing huge crowds.
This is in stark contrast to last week, where the beaches were deserted with just a few locals back on May 19.
Last week, the popular Benidorm beaches were empty[/caption]
Tourist have returned in droves to the Spanish resort[/caption]
The restrictions for UK travellers have been lifted this week[/caption]
Thousands of Brits are expected to visit Spain this week[/caption]
Brits heading to Spain are going against government advice for amber list countries[/caption]
Spain holiday resort have been deserted for months due to Covid[/caption]
Local bar owners are optimistic as punters return[/caption]
Benidorm locals have welcomed the return of Brits, one of the main groups of tourists at the resorts.
Ashley Price, who owns The Corner Bar in Benidorm, told Sky News: “It is fantastic, it is brilliant news.
“Superb for businesses in Spain that are desperate to start tourism again.”
Spanish bar owners have promised the “best ever” summer for British holidaymakers with £1.30 pints.
Mr Price told Sun Online: “We are two hours on a flight from the UK, you get a pint for 1.50 euros, [and] there’s the beautiful weather.”
In Benidorm, a million-euro investment is giving a facelift to a 300m stretch of the iconic Calle Mallorca, lined with the town’s bars, nightclubs and hotels.
The region has been busy preparing for an influx of holidaymakers by investing millions in upgrading hotels, apartments and services.
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It is hoped Spain could be added to the UK’s green list from June 7, along with other European hotspots Greece and Italy.
However, the PM and government warn Brits to not travel to Spain right now as it remains on the amber list.
The Foreign Office website says: “We continue to advise against all but essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic Islands, but excluding the Canary Islands.
Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “Our advice hasn’t changed in regards to amber list countries.
“We have been clear that people shouldn’t be travelling to amber list countries for the purposes of holidays.”
Last week Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that people should not travel to amber countries except for essential reasons.
Education Minister Gillian Keegan previously told Times Radio: “Amber list countries are there for a reason – they are there so that you can travel for business, you can travel for particular situations such as funerals or if there are some specific care issues in your family.”
Their comments were echoed by Home Secretary Priti Patel who urged Brits not to travel to amber list destinations.
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Other countries are warning of UK travel restrictions due to the Indian variant – France has said they could enforce further measures.
Germany has already banned all UK travellers.
Currently, Portugal is the only major tourist destination on Britain’s green list, which means holidaymakers do not need to isolate on their return.
