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British love affair with Costa Blanca stronger than ever
Over 2.6 million Brits visited Alicante last year, making them the region’s biggest tourist group
British tourists continue to flock to the Costa Blanca in huge numbers, proving that neither Brexit nor the pandemic has dampened their enthusiasm for the Spanish sunshine. In 2024, one in three foreign visitors to Alicante province came from the UK, totalling an impressive 2.6 million. The British remain the backbone of the region’s tourism industry, particularly in hotspots like Benidorm.Alicante-Elche Airport reflects this trend, with British travellers consistently leading the charts. Out of the 18 million passengers who passed through the terminal last year, more than 6.1 million were flying to or from the UK. In early 2025, this upward trend continues, cementing Britain’s status as Alicante’s most important tourism market.
Understanding British holidaymakers’ habits and preferences is a priority for both local businesses and tourism officials. The Costa Blanca Tourism Board and Visit Benidorm closely analyse travel trends, and insights from industry experts confirm what many already suspect – the region’s affordability, warm climate and strong flight connections keep UK tourists coming back year after year.
Manuel Butler, Tourism Advisor at the Spanish Embassy in London, recently spoke at an industry conference in Alicante, highlighting the role of direct flights and the steady incomes of British and Scottish visitors. While they don’t necessarily spend the most per person, the sheer volume of travellers ensures their economic impact is substantial. In 2024, British tourists spent €3.357 billion in the Valencian Community, a 23% rise compared to the previous year.
Ryanair remains the dominant airline for British visitors, with a 45% market share, followed by easyJet (27%) and Jet2 (17.5%). London still sends the highest number of travellers (29.4%), but cities like Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham and Birmingham have all seen growth. Manchester alone had 5,090 flights to and from Alicante last year, an average of 12 per day.
Most British holidaymakers in the region belong to the mid-range economic bracket and tend to plan their trips well in advance. On average, bookings are made 78 days before departure, with longer stays than other European visitors, typically around 12.8 days. Peak season runs from late April to mid-August, with a surge in last-minute bookings as summer approaches.
With over 36,000 UK flights handled by Alicante’s control tower last year – averaging 99 per day – it’s clear that the British love affair with the Costa Blanca is still going strong.
Image: Freepik
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