‘King of Benidorm’ says Spain’s tourist ban ‘not what it seems’ | Travel News | Travel

The so-called ‘King of Benidorm’, has voiced his support for Spain’s rumoured ‘three-year tourist ban’, amid concerns that he could be priced out of his adopted home.

Nigel Pope, 63, moved to the lively Costa Blanca town from Cornwall seven years ago following his divorce and has since become a local celebrity.

With his popular bar and engaging digital tours on TikTok, where he boasts 70,000 followers, Nigel has earned his regal nickname as British holidaymakers travel 900 miles just to meet him.

But now, the housing crisis in Spain, exacerbated by mass tourism and soaring rents, threatens to dethrone the ‘monarch’ from his beloved Benidorm.

The ‘King’ sought to clarify misconceptions about the ‘tourist ban’, telling the Daily Star: “Spain’s alleged ‘tourist ban’ is not what it seems.”

He explained that it aims to prevent locals from being priced out due to tourism-driven inflation, adding: “I think its actually a very good proposal that will help us locals to be able to afford the low rents, as wages are a lot lower here than elsewhere in Europe.”

The controversial measure has already taken effect in Malaga, where new rental property registrations have been halted in 43 neighbourhoods by the Malaga City Council and Costa del Sol authorities.

Seville is set to join the ranks of Spanish cities clamping down on short-term holiday lets, a move that could make it trickier for tourists to secure such accommodations. Madrid and Barcelona have already taken steps to regulate these rentals, while Alicante City Council kicked off the year with a two-year moratorium on new licences for holiday properties.

However, Benidorm’s authorities have yet to announce similar measures.

Local resident ‘King’ Nigel, who has been feeling the pinch of escalating rents, hopes Benidorm will take action too. He expressed his concerns, saying: “It has started to be a problem in Benidorm for people like myself who have to try to renew our existing rental contracts, so for me personally it is a good proposal and does start to tackle the problem.”

Despite this, Nigel harbours some anxiety about being able to afford his rent when renewal time comes around later this year.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez weighed in on the issue, highlighting a disparity in taxation: “It isn’t fair that those who have three, four or five apartments as short-term rentals pay less tax than hotels or workers.”

Nigel, along with his partner Nancy, whom he met seven years ago upon relocating overseas, are well-known figures in their community. Yet, with living costs on the rise, their future remains uncertain.

Questions are swirling about whether the Spanish government’s newly unveiled strategy can salvage the fortunes of Benidorm’s ‘King’ and his band of steadfast followers. Nigel responded: “I am hoping to renew my 10 year contract later in the year. I want to stay where I am, but we have been a little concerned by how much our rent will rise..”