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Benidorm is applying for funding to deploy technological platforms in tourist destinations with a project worth more than 3 million euros

It proposes alliances with other municipalities and administrations to share technological solutions and maximize the scope of the investment, such as Torremolinos or San Bartolomé de Tirajana

Benidorm City Council has opted for aid from the Secretary of State for Tourism for the deployment of technological platforms and digital solutions in the destinations of the Smart Tourist Destination Network with a project of more than 3 million euros. The Councillor for Innovation, Aida García Mayor, explained that “these grants are 100% financed with European funds, so if our project receives approval it would be carried out entirely with external resources, without having to make any municipal contribution”.

Specifically, Benidorm participates in this call for proposals in modality B, reserved for local entities, regions and associations and endowed with 57.1 million euros.

García Mayor recalled that “in relation to technological platforms, Benidorm is not starting from scratch”. In fact, at this time, “we are finalising the implementation of our Smart Tourist Destination Platform through the Red.es programme and we have already tested some pilots”. For this reason, “the project of more than 3 million euros that we are presenting for these grants proposes advanced solutions to be able to make the most of the data and indicators that we already measure or that we will soon measure as soon as the implementation of our platform is completed.” A platform that “will experience a qualitative shift.”

The councillor has explained that the proposed project “will allow Generative Artificial Intelligence to be put into play to exploit the information and indicators obtained to improve the management of the city.”

Among the solutions included in the project, which proposes more than 20 actions, are the creation of a destination portal, a location intelligence module, a loyalty system and module, another for smart parking and a capacity control and flow measurement, without forgetting Blue Tourism.

The head of Innovation has clarified that “the Benidorm platform will be linked to the Ministry's Intelligent Destination Platform (PID), also based in our city, so that there will be an exchange of data.” Thus, “we will have access to external indicators that are essential to understand the reality of the tourism market at any given time and to know what measures to adopt in the future; while Benidorm will contribute to this PID data collected by our platform and that are of national interest.”

García Mayor stressed that “the spirit of this national PID is collaboration between destinations and following this philosophy, in Benidorm we have established alliances with municipalities or administrations to share technological solutions and maximize the impact of the investment.”

Among the formalised collaborations there are two with cities of the Alliance of Tourist Municipalities of Sun and Beach (AMT): Torremolinos and San Bartolomé de Tirajana. These synergies will be linked to the monitoring of beaches and the location intelligence module. In addition, alliances have also been forged with the City Councils of Elche and Almuñécar and with the Provincial Council of Alicante.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Benidorm is applying for funding to deploy technological platforms in tourist destinations with a project worth more than 3 million euros

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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