Benidorm, a favorite among tourists on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, is clamping down on shops that display provocative items in their windows, aiming to protect both the city's image and public sensibility.
Local officials have targeted items such as playful t-shirts and souvenirs featuring sexual messages, particularly in the 'Guiri zone,' an area that predominantly caters to foreign visitors. Many of these products are marketed in English, catering to the thousands of British tourists who visit the region each year.
Javier Jordá, head of commerce in the Benidorm city hall, stated that this initiative is crucial to ensure that vulnerable populations, including minors, are not confronted with disturbing messages in public spaces. He noted that certain commercial activities have been found inconsistent with established local laws.
Benidorm, which welcomed approximately three million visitors last year, including over 830,000 from the UK, has regulations stating that shop windows should refrain from displaying products that could offend moral sensitivities. This includes items considered 'sexy,' even if they are not sold inside the shops.
The city's conservative authorities are beginning by reminding shop owners of this regulation. Should compliance prove to be an issue, potential sanctions could include fines of up to €3,000 (£2,614). However, Mr. Jordá expressed hope that such measures would not be necessary.
Spain's burgeoning tourism industry saw a record 94 million foreign visitors last year, with popular destinations such as Benidorm encouraging a shift away from the traditional sun-and-sand model due to rising concerns about over-tourism.
