Competition between Benidorm hoteliers.

The Benidorm hoteliers are already preparing their campaign for 2006, according to the local Hoteliers association HOSBEC. The association revealed that 9 hotels in Benidorm would close after the Christmas, New Year’s, King’s period to undergo extensive renovation, as would the Hotel Montiboli in Villajoyosa. When these hotels re-open towards Easter next year, they will have to compete with the Sheraton, Starwood, and Westin Real de Faula hotels near the Terra Mitica Theme Park. The opening of these establishments, which is expected to take place next March, will place an additional 400 beds on the market for the holiday town. Nevertheless, the Westin and Sheraton will represent the first time that two five-star hotels have opened in Benidorm. Meanwhile Antonio Perez, the official spokesman for Town Council stated that the Socialist Government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero had thrown out all three requests from Benidorm that had been expected to be included in next years' state budget.