Benidorm and the birth of package tourism
The story of the mayor who created one of the world's biggest holiday resorts.
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
The Spanish town of Benidorm is now one of the world's most popular holiday resorts - receiving more than 10 million visitors a year. The hotels and skyscrapers are the vision of Benidorm's mayor in the 1950s and 60s, Pedro Zaragoza. Zaragoza personally convinced Spain's dictator, General Franco, to allow more tourism - and to allow sunbathers to wear the bikini. Simon Watts introduces the memories of Pedro Zaragoza, as recorded by Radio Elche Cadena Ser shortly before his death.
PHOTO: A busy day in Benidorm (Reuters)