International tourists holidaying on the Costa Blanca this summer are flying into one of Europe’s most highly valued airports. At least that’s the conclusion of a survey carried out by Holidu.
Drawing on data from Google Maps ratings and reviews, the holiday rental portal determined the five top airports in Europe that offer the greatest peace of mind and first-class service. Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport was ranked fourth, with a score of 4.3 based on 10,547 reviews.
According to Holidu, “Travellers praised its organisation, luminosity and spacious design, in addition to having a wide diversity of gastronomic and commercial options that will mean you don’t mind at all spending a few hours in this airport. And, thanks to its privileged location in an area of significant tourist popularity, the Costa Blanca, travellers are also very close to fantastic cities such as Benidorm, Calpe, Denia, Jávea, Torrevieja and Murcia.”
Leading the top five, with a score of 4.4 from 24,467 reviews, was Athens international airport, followed by Zúrich (4.4 from 14,267 reviews) and Francisco de Sá Carneiro in Oporto (4.4 from 11,904), while Malta was fifth (4.3 from 6,279).
And the worst? Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in south-western France (2.7 points from 5,700 reviews), with passengers citing its small size and lack of seating.
Nordic Tourists Drawn to Alicante
Meanwhile, Alicante City Hall has reported a significant increase in the number of Nordic tourists visiting the area this summer. According to deputy mayoress Mari Carmen Sánchez, who is also president of the Alicante City&Beach Tourism Board, 8,665 Norwegians visited the city in July, a total only topped by British tourists (13,278), while Swedes represented the fourth highest number (4,283). Sánchez said the Nordic market was consolidating strongly after emerging during the pandemic.
The 69,185 international tourists visiting Alicante in July represented 67.4 per cent of the overall total, with the top three, the UK, Norway and France, at 19.91, 12.52 and 9.00 per cent, respectively. Following those countries were Sweden, the United States, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Denmark and Switzerland.
Last year Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport was one of six airports operated by Aena in Spain to be recognised with Skytrax’s highest safety rating.