The Benalmádena Town Hall has executed 95.23% of the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination, endowed with five million euros from Next Generation funds. The investment amounts to €4.76 million and has allowed for the planting of over 650 trees, the renewal of LED lighting, and the rehabilitation of the El Bil-Bil Castle.
The Benalmádena Town Hall has announced the completion of the execution of the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination (PSTD) ‘Benalmádena, Green Lung of the Costa del Sol’, financed with European Next Generation EU funds. The official balance, presented this Thursday, shows an execution rate of 95.23%, with a real investment of €4,761,768.48 out of the five million granted.
The plan has been structured around four strategic axes: green and sustainable transition, energy efficiency, digital transformation, and tourism competitiveness. According to municipal data, the energy efficiency axis has been executed at 100%, while digital transformation reaches 97%, green transition 92.26%, and competitiveness 92%.
The mayor of Benalmádena, Juan Antonio Lara, has valued the plan as “a historic opportunity” that has allowed for “a real transformation of the municipality.” In statements collected by the Town Hall, Lara emphasized that the actions benefit not only tourists but also residents, by improving green areas, shade, accessibility, and public facilities.
“We have made the most of a historic opportunity to invest five million euros in projects that enhance our image, make Benalmádena more sustainable, and elevate the quality of the tourist experience,” the mayor stated.
The Councillor for Tourism, Presi Aguilera, highlighted that the PSTD has allowed for “a profound modernisation of our tourist offer, betting on innovation, sustainability, and accessibility as fundamental pillars.” Among the achievements, she mentioned the new Destination Management System (SGD), the digital tourist platform, the renovated information office, and improvements to the beaches.
Specific actions
Among the most visible interventions are the planting of over 650 trees in various locations throughout the municipality and the creation of seven large shaded areas along the promenade. The El Bil-Bil Castle and the new Tourist Office have also been energetically rehabilitated, and public lighting has been renewed with LED technology.
Additionally, the Town Hall has acquired electric vehicles for municipal services, developed a new digital platform for tourist promotion, and launched tools such as the 360 Tourist Office and the Tourist Innovalab. On the beaches, new walkways, signage, adapted toilets for ostomised individuals, informative solar traffic lights, and electric bicycles for surveillance have been installed.
The plan has also included specialised machinery for beach maintenance and various initiatives for cultural, gastronomic, and tourist promotion. According to the municipal balance, all these actions aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the destination and improve the experience for both visitors and residents.
Benalmádena thus ranks among the municipalities that have best utilised European funds aimed at modernising tourist destinations, as noted by the governing team. The mayor has insisted that the council's line of work is “to invest to improve the quality of life and continue positioning Benalmádena as a reference tourist destination.”
The PSTD, endowed with five million euros, has been fully financed by the Next Generation EU mechanism, and its execution has developed over the last few years. With this balance, the Town Hall concludes the investment phase and now focuses on the operation and maintenance of the new infrastructures and services.
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