US tourism up

NORTH AMERICAN tourism is taking off in the Valencia region.

Nearly 2 per cent of all foreign visitors to the area in the first two weeks of April came from the United States, according to regional hotel union Hosbec.

Figures published by the association reveal that the Costa Blanca registered an average occupation rate of 75 per cent from April 1 to 15, with Benidorm faring slightly better with 79 per cent of rooms occupied.

In general, Hosbec has described the figures as “positive and nearing the activity levels from before the pandemic in

2019,” thanks largely to national tourism over Easter.

Of all the foreign visitors who landed in the region this month, Hosbec highlights the increasing number of travellers from the US, especially to Valencia and Alicante cities.

The association is calling for the creation of direct flights between the region and the States, insisting that “there is a demand for it” and that the lack of a direct connection places Valencia at a disadvantage compared to other tourism hotspots that do have one, such as Mallorca, Malaga or Tenerife.

The ‘Adaptation plan for climate change’ was drawn up by Aguas de Calpe, the company in charge of the service, and was passed at the last town hall plenary session.

One of the main measures of the plan is an investment of €1.6 million to expand the Barranc Salat desalination plant, as well as a project to build a new supply well next to the existing one in the Vall de Laguar.

Both measures will be “vital” to guarantee supply over the coming years, according to Calpe Town Planning councillor Juan Manuel del Pino, who revealed that the plan by Aguas de Calpe predicts future droughts, rising sea levels and a greater salinity of the sea water.

The Pou Llucifer well in the Vall de Laguar currently supplies Calpe, Murla and Laguar, but “there are times when it is necessary to use the water purifying plant, with the extra expense that entails,” added the councillor.

Betty Henderson

A BRAND­NEW study by Electomanía, a leading Spanish polling company, has revealed the Region of Murcia is the most ‘hated’ autonomous community in Spain.

The study, released on Thursday, April 20, surveyed 1,620 people across the country and asked them about their ‘spontaneous feelings’ towards their own autonomous community and the others.

According to the results, Asturias is the most valued region in Spain, followed by Galicia, the Basque Country, and Navarra. But the region of Murcia ranks at the bottom, with a score of only 6.2, even lower than the north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.