The rise in hotel occupancy in Benidorm during the second half of February, which accounted for 42% of arrivals and was three points higher than in the first part of the month, was once again mostly due to British tourists. The Costa Blanca’s tourist capital, Hosbec, finished this time with hotels at 76.8%, higher than the monthly average of 75.5%, according to data.

With these numbers, the Brits have surpassed the national tourists, whose share of visitors decreased from 43.8% to 40.2% in the second half of the month. Similarly, the Dutch accounted for 5.2% of all visits, with Belgians coming in second at 5% and Irish at 2.2%.

With 76% of reservations confirmed for the first half of the month, one point more than during the same period in 2024, the March predictions support the upward trend. Hoteliers are able to keep positive expectations for the season because of this steadiness.

Due to the celebration of CEVISAMA and the rise in economic activity in the ceramics industry, Castellón had the highest average hotel occupancy rate in the Valencian Community, at about 85%. The employers’ group claims that “tourism and professional events combined to favour these positive results.”

While reservations for the first half of March were comparable to last year, Valencia saw a decline in occupancy, particularly in 4-star hotels. With 74.2% occupancy in the second half of February and a monthly balance of 72.8%, the Costa Blanca—aside from Benidorm—also had a minor decline, falling 3.3 points short of 2024.

The residents of Elche are now over 4.2 million euros richer after yesterday’s, Saturday March 8th, National Lottery draw. The Lottery Administration number 2 in the city of Elche, which is situated in the Plaça de Baix, has received the whole first prize of the draw, which was ticket number 73,267. They had ten series consigned, or one hundred tenths. Everything points to the sale of about 70 tenths, which are valued at 60,000 euros each, pending the final numbers.

As it happens, the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish sold the majority of the tickets—roughly 60.

By taking down a black spot that sold drugs, the National Police have inflicted a serious blow to drug trafficking in Elche. Four individuals of Spanish nationality, ages 20 to 56, were arrested as a result of the operation: three men and one woman. The inmates are accused of electricity fraud, drug trafficking, and membership in a criminal organisation.

Examining and disassembling the network

After several reports from neighbours alerting them to a high degree of suspicious activity in two nearby homes, the investigation got underway. The agents were able to verify that the four inmates, who were all members of the same family, were operating the sales point after several weeks of surveillance. In order to prevent police action, each member of the organisation had a defined role, including surveillance shifts. Transporting the drugs from a nearby residence to the sales location was the responsibility of one of the individuals who was detained.

Elche and Hondón de las Nieves records

With enough proof, the police were granted permission by the court to search three homes: a country home in Hondón de las Nieves (Alicante) and two residences in Elche. The usage of the home as a “indoor” plantation was confirmed by the discovery of 290 flowering marijuana plants and 797 grammes of cocaine concealed in a fake bottom in the ceiling.

Three inmates are placed under interim detention

The four detained were taken before the Elche Court of Instruction after police investigations, and three of them were given temporary jail sentences. A highly active drug-selling location in the city has been eliminated by the National Police as a result of this operation.

The value of citizen cooperation

In order to combat drug trafficking, the National Police emphasises the need of citizen cooperation and encourages the public to report any suspicious behaviour by phoning 091, visiting www.policia.es or sending an email to antidroga@policia.es