Plans have recently been submitted for a new motorhome caravan park to be built in Benidorm to help combat the growing tourist numbers in Spain. Spain is certainly no stranger when it comes to grappling with high tourism numbers, which is said to also be affecting the country’s motorhome tourism. Spain’s mild seaside climate and easy access to many stunning coastlines, including its year-round travel appeal, have seen a surge in numbers over the years, with more travellers opting to explore the country in their vehicles.
As such, motorhome spaces are being created in many parts of Spain to help with the growing popularity of motorhome tourism. Brit-favourite Benidorm recently submitted plans to get its first overnight motorhome park in the popular area.
The plan follows in the footsteps of its neighbouring region’s motorhome parks, including Finestrat, a small village up in the mountains just 20 minutes from Benidorm and l’Alfas del Pi, a town in the province of Alicante in Valencia. The proposed new caravan park, known as Melmus Activos SL, will be located in Benidorm, with formal proposals recently sent to the Valencian Government for approval in order to help combat growing motorhome tourism.
If successful, this new motorhome camping park will be located on two plots of land in an industrial estate in the city’s Marxassos district, The Olive Press reports.
The new park envisages holding roughly 284 parking spots on its 29,000 m2 site and will be next to the N-332 and the Salt de l’Aigua school zone on land.
This area is currently characterised as non-developable land, but that could all change to “respond to this growing demand for this type of tourist service,” says Melmus Activos SL.
Alongside the parking spots on this new Benidorm caravan park, the campsite is expected to also include common areas, showers and toilets, a large central recreational zone, access roads and a one-story building for guest reception.
The project will cost approximately £835,038 (€981,365), according to Alicante Plaza.
It is also hoping to create more jobs related to local employment in Spain.
So far, there have been no major objections to this motorhome being built, and on April 15, a final report was signed by the agricultural engineer of the Alicante Territorial Directorate, part of the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory, which concluded no objections to this new project.
They did note, however, that “at the time of the declaration of expiration, it must be expanded and be more specific regarding the measures planned to return the soil to its natural state.”
The Valencian Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory are expected to receive more comments regarding this new project until late May.
After such, they will formally decide whether or not this project should proceed to its next stage, which will mean a Declaration of Community Interest, to verify whether the project is viable.
Spain currently has roughly 3000 designated motorhome stopovers, according to Campercontact.
The country offers a range of options for motorhomes, including official motorhome parks, campsites, and even wild camping (sleeping in a motorhome outside designated areas) in some areas. However, wild camping in Spain is generally prohibited, with some regions being more relaxed about these rules.