With Brits looking ahead to the 2026 holiday season, there are plenty of things to consider when choosing a destination. With anti-tourism protests sweeping Europe, one traveller shared a video of a popular part of Spain this summer.
The once-thriving tourist destination has been described as a “ghost town” after visitors appear to have abandoned the area. Footage shows the usually bustling holiday resort looking less busy than it ever has. Taken in August this year, videos of Benidorm showed empty streets.
For decades, Spain has remained a sought-after holiday destination for Brits, yet circumstances appear to be shifting.
Some regions of the country have become less popular with tourists.
Benidorm, situated in Spain, is “empty” according to some holidaymakers, as video evidence has surfaced online displaying the deserted resort.
A social media contributor, named @yorkshirebargainhunter, recently posted footage on TikTok demonstrating how dramatically different the resort appears, leaving viewers astounded, given the destination’s longstanding popularity among British holidaymakers.
Despite being in the prime holiday season, he claimed the Spanish streets were “empty”, believing they ought to be bustling with visitors.
In his view, Benidorm has become an “absolute ghost town”, with fellow observers appearing to share this sentiment.
He said: “If you’re in Benidorm right now, what do you think? Why do you think it’s so quiet? Why is nobody around? Even this bar here is fully shut down.
“We’re in the height of summer. Everywhere should be absolutely rammed, but it’s not. It’s absolutely dead.
“This is one of the main strips in Benidorm and it should be absolutely rammed.”
Reports suggest that Spain has been deserted by many tourists, with restaurants and beaches appearing almost vacant.
Miguel Pérez-Marsá, chief of the nightlife association, previously informed Majorca Daily Bulletin: “The tourists we’re interested in are being driven away; they don’t feel welcome and are going to other destinations.”
As Brits begin to look for a summer holiday destination for next year, some may begin to opt for different locations than the usual hotspots.