Riot police are set to be deployed to Benidorm in a security initiative for the upcoming World Cup, a popular holiday destination for British tourists. The town council of the Costa Blanca resort has revealed plans for increased police presence during evenings and nights to handle the anticipated arrival of UK visitors following the tournament in Spain. Many England supporters have opted to travel to Spain due to the high costs of accommodation and tickets in the US.
The plan involves fans watching the matches at various venues in Benidorm, enjoying the sunny weather and affordable beverage offerings. In recent years, an increasing number of horse racing enthusiasts, deterred by the expensive Cheltenham Festival, have chosen to visit Benidorm for its sunny climate and cost-effective drinks.
Local officials have reported a significant rise in air travel capacity of over 16% in the initial phase of the World Cup. The details of a special security operation in Benidorm for the tournament, starting on June 11 and ending on July 19, were disclosed following a meeting between law enforcement and council members to coordinate their response.
A representative from Benidorm Town Council confirmed the reinforcement of police shifts from June 11 to July 19, involving both local and National Police forces. The National Police unit comprises highly-trained officers specializing in public order and is known for managing protests and high-risk sporting events across Spain.
Jesus Carrobles, the Councillor for Citizen Security and Public Service in Benidorm, emphasized the need for enhanced security measures during sporting events, foreseeing a surge in fans congregating in public spaces and entertainment establishments. The expected influx of tourists and fans for the World Cup has led to a 16.4% increase in reserved airline seats to Alicante, particularly from the UK, prompting joint efforts between local and National Police to reinforce surveillance units and conduct an information campaign.
Flight bookings to Benidorm saw a four-fold increase last year, driven by dissatisfaction with costly World Cup packages to the US, one of the tournament’s host countries. Notably, TUI advertised a budget-friendly trip from Bristol to Benidorm for less than the price of a Category 1 ticket to the England-Croatia match in Dallas.
Apart from Benidorm, football enthusiasts are expected to gather in Magaluf in Majorca and the Costa del Sol, with Little England in Benidorm likely to draw the most supporters.