Are Benidorm and Tenerife Shameful Destinations?

A recent poll has revealed that many Britishentertainment centers, nine golf courses and high-end
holiday-goers are ashamed to admit where they areshopping centers. Though tourism is mainly an industry
going on vacation. Many popular destinations areof the southern part of the island, the north is catching
deemed to be too low-class by British society, includingup, especially in the town Puerto de la Cruz. Somehow
many popular areas of Spain. In fact, vacationers oftenthis town manages to be highly developed, yet retains
lie about going on an expensive, classy trip when theymuch of its old, harbor town charm.
actually go somewhere less expensive and common.Other destinations that are looked down upon are
What's strange about all of this is that most of theseparty island Ibiza, holiday island Magaluf and Cyprus
locations are actually quite elegant and luxurious.resort area Ayia Napa. These areas are shunned
Topping the list of shameful holiday spots is Benidorm,because of their associations with party-goers and the
a coastal town in the Alicante province of Spain. Farelectronic music scene. Though they may not have the
unlike many of Spain's coastal areas, Benidorm is linedhigh-end features of Benidorm and Tenerife, they are
with skyscrapers. It's often called the Manhattan ofstill full of great places to visit and fabulous vistas to
Spain. For this same reason, it's also referred to as thesee. Oceanic views greet vacationers at every turn,
11th Belgian province.and many of the finest clubs and restaurants of Spain
Before tourism became a large industry in the town, itand Cyprus are located in these destinations. Ayia
was a tiny coastal village. It began to cater to tourists,Napa, in fact, has some of the most beautiful beaches
especially the British, in the 1960's. Today it containsin the world, great for water skiing and scuba diving.
four-star hotels, several family theme parks and threeAll of these destinations offer world-class facilities, yet
major beaches which were granted the highest awardthey are viewed in a negative light by British
for quality by the European Union. Benidorm also hostsvacationers. The top places to visit in the poll include
the Benidorm International Song Festival, a renownedParis, New York, Portugal, Australia and Thailand.
songwriting contest. Julio Iglesias became famousFor some reason, Benidorm and Tenerife, which
because of this festival.originally catered to the British, don't match up to these
Second on the list of shameful destinations is Tenerife,destinations in modern British eyes. But hot spots are
the largest of the Canary Islands. Tourism iscyclical, and some day soon these areas will be on the
concentrated on the southern part of the island, as ittop of the British holiday destination charts. Until then,
features highly-developed resort areas and a drierwhen your family asks where you're going on holiday,
climate. A moratoria act passed by the Canarianproudly proclaim 'I'm going to the coastal paradise of
Parliament keeps resort standards high by forbiddingBenidorm!'
any new construction unless the hotel will be five-starBut there again, you might want to keep it quiet if you
quality. The Costa Adeje contains world-classwant to keep on good terms with the neighbours!