The COVID-19 pandemic started in Spain and spread to many other countries more than five years ago. However, there is still an endeavour that started in that time and is still going strong. But just barely. Only Finestrat and Benidorm in the Marina Baixa still have it. The consumer voucher is a campaign that helps families financially during the Christmas season, which is a tough time for them because of the damage to jobs and the economy, especially in tourist towns. It served two purposes: for people who wanted to shop and for businesses that needed to keep making sales.
Benidorm authorised the money needed for a new edition in December on Monday. However, instead of giving the public five passes for 50 euros, it would only give three passes worth 30 euros. Retailers and hotel owners have responded positively to this idea.
The Independent Association of Benidorm Merchants (AICO) and the Association of Bars, Restaurants, and Cafes (ABRECA) both said this Tuesday that they support this project and the restoration of the Avenida Jaime I parking project.
About the first point, both were happy to hold an edition after the “uncertainty” that followed the Alicante Provincial Council’s decision not to include a specific allocation that would have let municipalities renew their aid for another year to start the campaign. “We want to thank the PSOE, Vox, and PP for being so understanding and taking the right steps.” They think this choice will encourage people to shop locally. This is all based on the fact that Aico said in September that it was worried about the reduction in sales this year.
They talked about “the legal problems the local government has because of the restrictions the central administration puts on the use of municipal treasury surpluses,” and they thanked them for “the budgetary effort.” The consumer voucher helps local groups bring neighbourhoods to life, create jobs, and get people to buy more from local companies.
Finally, they think the Jaime I parking lot is “appropriate,” as long as the deadlines don’t go past the 15 months that were announced. Otherwise, they say, it might be bad for business and cost money for the enterprises who are affected. “We believe that the more parking spaces we have available to bring our customers and visitors closer to our establishments, the more opportunities will be created to maintain, promote, and open the gastronomic, service, and commercial businesses that the city of Benidorm needs,” they state in the statement.
In the same way, they say that this parking lot doesn’t go against the sustainable practices that the City Council promotes: “It is an option that as a city we must and must consider so that in the not-too-distant future, whether by electric vehicle, hydrogen, eco-fuels, or drones, we can continue to offer the necessary amenities to make your stay with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible, while maintaining our high levels of hospitality and quality of life,” they conclude.
Author: Derek Appleton
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