The Neighborhood Council expresses its support for Benidorm's candidacy for the UN Tourism Sustainability Observatory

The Neighbourhood Council today expressed its support for Benidorm's candidacy for membership in the UN Tourism Sustainability Observatory. The city is already preparing its bid, the main guidelines of which were presented today at the neighbourhood council meeting.

The preparation of Benidorm's bid is being led by the company Kalmas Gestión Empresarial, and its CEO, Ester Welters, explained to the Neighbourhood Council the steps being taken and the path remaining until the bid is submitted. Welters stated that the initial approach is to "measure the current situation and share knowledge among all stakeholders in the tourism industry" to ensure that "the impact of tourism is completely sustainable."

To prepare the bid, a methodology has been defined that will be applied to 40 work and monitoring areas, the so-called "Insto Areas." However, Welters emphasised that "right now we are in the preparation phase of the candidacy and we have an extensive roadmap ahead of us until it is submitted to the UN." Similarly, in response to concerns from some members of the Neighbourhood Council, Ester Welters clarified that "this is a voluntary candidacy, not an open call. And it does not entail any financial impact. For us, it would involve interacting with the other 42 cities around the world that are part of the Sustainability Observatory in Tourism."

Furthermore, once you become part of the UN Tourism Sustainability Observatory, "a lot of background work lies ahead, since once you are included, you have to keep working to continue improving," she clarified. For his part, Mayor Toni Pérez, who chaired the Council, emphasised that "this candidacy and the obligations we set for ourselves set milestones for us to achieve. And that is what makes our project a good one."

Today's Neighbourhood Council meeting also addressed several proposals from associations. The current situation regarding the occupation of public spaces by tables and chairs from hospitality and catering establishments was highlighted. Residents of the Old Town lamented that some businesses are occupying spaces that do not belong to them, even obstructing pedestrian traffic, a practice that continues despite the fines imposed. These residents have advocated for "the revocation of the granted license if they persist in their violations."

In this regard, the mayor acknowledged that in this matter "there are two interested parties who should agree, but if they don't, then the City Council will intervene." And on this point, the mayor stated that they will "make decisions and provide solutions, understanding that this may entail a cost for us, but what cannot happen is for this situation to fall on the shoulders of the neighbours." Pérez announced that "a solution will soon be available."

In response to some of the proposals discussed, residents were also informed that there will be increased police surveillance to monitor the behavior of some pet owners, that a plan is being developed to repair the damaged streetlights on Poniente Street "although there is no structural problem with them," and that handrails will be installed on the existing stairs on Asturias, Genaro Navarro, and Oviedo Streets, among others, "to facilitate accessibility."

Before concluding the Neighbourhood Council meeting, a minute of silence was observed at the request of the representatives of this body in memory of former councillor Ángela Llorca Seguí, who passed away this morning. Ángela Llorca was a member of the municipal council and the governing team until May 2023, and during her career, she led the departments of Social Welfare, Senior Citizens, Cooperation, Immigration, and Cemeteries.