The surprising loss of the blue flag badge by the emblematic Poniente beach in Benidorm has had significance in the British media and that is the news that the City Council feared the most due to the large influx of tourists from the islands.

Online newspapers such as The Sun or Express, as well as others in paper format, radio stations and television channels, echo the loss of the badge by one of the most recognized beaches in all of Spain. The Benidorm City Council insists that it has already appealed that decision and emphasizes that "the specific analysis carried out in 2021 on the water in a specific area is not representative."

Specifically, they regret the punctual discharge of dirty rainwater after some storms.

Councilor Mónica Gómez even appeared to ensure that Poniente beach "complies with the most demanding certifications." In fact, it is one of the most accessible public bathing areas in the entire Mediterranean and the only one in the entire province of Alicante that has a Rescue and Lifeguard service twelve months a year.

The surprising decision of the European Federation of Environmental Education not to award the blue flag to Poniente beach has also had its effect on the regional executive, since the Secretary of Tourism, Francesc Colomer, is determined to place this beach as a center of the tourist promotion of the Valencian Community for the summer to cushion the possible negative effect of the news.

In the same way, the hotel businessmen of Benidorm emphasize that the water in this enclave is "excellent" and are concerned about the repercussion that the news of the loss of the blue flag may have, especially in the British market, clearly the more present in Benidorm.