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Benidorm strengthens public-private partnerships at 5th Business Forum on local alliances

 

Benidorm / 6 May 2026

 

Toni Pérez has reaffirmed Benidorm’s commitment to sustainable growth, social cohesion, and economic resilience during the closing of the 5th Business Forum organised by Veolia and Red Cross.

 

Held at the city’s Dinapsis innovation hub, this year’s forum focused on the theme “The Success of New Local Alliances,” highlighting the growing importance of collaboration between public institutions, private companies, and social organisations.

 

A model built on collaboration

During his closing address, Pérez stressed that Benidorm’s key challenge is to remain a leading tourist destination while ensuring:

• Equal opportunities for residents
• Strong social cohesion
• High quality of life

 

He described partnerships between businesses, NGOs, and local government as essential to achieving these goals, particularly in a city with a high level of tourism-driven economic activity.

 

Sustainability and economic resilience

Speakers from Veolia and the Red Cross outlined ongoing initiatives in:

• Environmental management and water sustainability
• Social inclusion and community support programmes
• Corporate responsibility and local engagement

 

The mayor highlighted the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those linked to water management, noting that Benidorm has successfully reduced water consumption despite rising population and tourism numbers—a key benchmark often cited in sustainability reports about the city.

 

Business sector engagement

The forum also brought together major players from the local economy, including representatives from:

• Hospitality and tourism associations
• Hotel groups and leisure parks
• Restaurant and business organisations
• Discussions focused on future challenges such as:
• Maintaining competitiveness in tourism
• Workforce development and employment
• Adapting to sustainability and digital transformation trends

 

Benidorm continues to stand out for its employment levels, with local unemployment rates remaining below the national average—something Pérez described as “the strongest form of social policy.”

 

Benidorm’s wider strategy

The event reflects a broader trend in Benidorm’s development model, which has been widely recognised for:

• Data-driven urban management
• Efficient water usage systems
• Strong integration between tourism and local economy
• Public-private collaboration frameworks

 

Organisers and participants highlighted that these types of forums are increasingly important as cities adapt to post-pandemic tourism demands, climate challenges, and social inequality pressures.

 

Looking ahead

Closing the forum, Red Cross representatives described Benidorm as an example of a “solidarity-based society”, where collaboration can drive more inclusive and sustainable growth.

 

Pérez concluded by emphasising that the city’s long-term success lies in its ability to reinvent itself while keeping people at the centre of its strategy.