Dénia is essentially a tourist city. For several decades, it was decided to bet everything to win their share of the large benefits that offered to the pockets of coastal municipalities. The expected result was obtained and almost any other means by which to obtain income was left aside. Tourism had become the main economic engine and has thus resisted despite its malleability. In addition, it has always had a majority of voices in favor among the neighbors, since it was easy to give up a certain amount of peace in exchange for that money. This has not been Magaluf, precisely. Families came here with whom it was easy to live. But now the family tourist no longer comes alone, and the new visitors can change the conception that the Dianenses have towards their temporary neighbors forever.
The case of tourism in Dénia is far from that of neighboring towns. If we look to the north, to Gandia, we find a totally different tourist model. They agree that, despite the fact that much of their income comes from there, the city has not been sold and they are still looking for a intermediate point in which the local population and the visitor are satisfied. And it is difficult considering who this visitor from the capital of La Safor is. A huge percentage of tourists are young. The services, therefore, are according to their demands. It was before chicken or the egg? What is clear is that it has been fully exploited, proliferating in recent decades nightlife areas with small pubs, but also large discos and music festivals. But it is important to understand that Gandia has tried to distance leisure spaces, allocating the beach to them and trying to keep the urban area clear to protect the rest of the residents.
As for tourism in Dénia, until now it had little to do with that of its neighbors. It was decided to shield, a little late, its landscape essence, making the port façade of Baix la Mar one of its main claims, for example. In fact, it is one of the best known postcards. Of course, also beaches. Thus, the tourism that managed to charm was the family member. This recurring tourist usually adapts perfectly to Dianense's daily life despite the inevitable overcrowding. With its pluses and minuses (and ignoring, however difficult it may be, that suddenly we are 200.000 instead of just over 40.000) it does not alter the rest of the city.
But in recent seasons the interest of young people in the city has skyrocketed. And the residents of Dénia are not used to their rhythms. It is difficult to even defend that it is the desired tourist, since the town is not adapted to their needs and they force coexistence to get their spaces. Although more than forcing, flourishes aside, they break it.
An association for cheap tourism
It was something that had been simmering and that the lack of confinement has accelerated. Zones and large establishments of nightlife in the city that already stressed the rest when they were used only by local youth and neighboring populations. But, like any business in Dénia aware of the money there is in tourism, soon these companies also decided to promote their activity to attract visitors. Not to families, of course, but they had to look outside for a new target tourist.
This might not have materialized if it hadn't had a luxury partner who joins the board at the right time: the new vacation rental in the urban area. He treeAbove all, Airbnb has caused a wave of new accommodation offers in Dénia. In fact, there are buildings where practically all the floors are used for cheap rentals for very short periods, such as weekends. And not all of them belong to the aforementioned company or derivatives, because at least they must undergo some control. Pirate rentals are also a reality.
sell rest
This unexpected association between the increase in the offer of nightlife and the increase in the offer of affordable rentals has caused a change in the tourist paradigm of Dénia. During the last two summer seasons the presence of youth groupsMost of them come from the south and center of Spain, who buy apartments in order to spend a few days partying in nightclubs and hangovers on the beach. Unfortunately, this also leads to an increase in situations in which coexistence breaks down. For those who come to a party, everything is a party. It doesn't matter if it's a working Wednesday after midnight, because if they want to turn their house into a disco, to warm up before going out to the leisure areas, they will. Two days do not give time for prudence, and besides We have offered you the erroneous image that Dénia only wants and offers a party 24/7. And the worst thing is that there are two days for a group, but another two days will be replaced by another group. Those two days and two days, for the neighbor is a whole summer season.
Of course, not all of these perishable inhabitants are troublemakers, but they do increase during peak seasons. Nor are the lessors responsible for or exercise no control. In most cases there is no contact, but rather the entire process is managed electronically and a code is provided to enter the home, without handing over the keys.
Tourism paradigm shift
Dénia's tourism model could be on the verge of undergoing a sudden change without going back. There may be a coexistence problem between the neighbors and the young tourists, but also between young and family tourism. If Dénia was sold as a paradise to relax with the family, arriving here and encountering the new leisure dynamics can make the usual tourist rethink their next destination.
It has nothing to do with the attempts to promote the city as a cultural or gastronomic tourist destination, the nightclubs leave almost no room for others. If the situation is not addressed, the Gandia model could be imposed with a much smaller space, such as that of Dénia, where it has not been possible to separate the party spaces from those for rest. Thus, if we look the other way, we will face much longer summers than we know.
Not only Dénia, because Jávea also has this problem, for some years. Even inland towns, such as Benitatxell. In small towns, tourist rentals are destroying quiet urbanizations, where permanent residents, Spanish and foreigners, used to live. But now, when you have to live next to chalets rented by owners who don't even live in town and never see their clients, rented for one night or a weekend, where the party lasts 24 hours a day, or your house is transformed into tourist rental and the lives of others are ruined, or the house is sold and more civilized places are sought – if they still exist somewhere, even abroad
That is the problem very well explained.
I have been living in Denia for a little less than two years and I can only summarize what I think of this city with one word: noise. If you come here for a week in the sun or drinking beer, you know you're going to sleep late and you don't care what's going on around you. After all, a few days later you will be in your hometown with your normal life.
On the contrary, when you come to Denia to settle down and work, you immediately discover how things work. I rented an apartment in the Plaza Benidorm and since the first day I have had to put up with the noise caused, in the first place, by the Sounders nightclub that is in the marina, a nightclub that doesn't close until 3 or 3:30 in the morning . I called the police once to no avail (and the person who answered me told me that my call was going to have little fruit), I have filed two complaints with the town hall (equally useless, as I am still waiting for a response) and with the Community (with the same result). The reason why such an obvious breach of the regulations regarding noise pollution is accepted by the council is left to the imagination of each one.
But it's not just Sounders. The two restaurants with terraces in the square, Maditerrasian and Paradís, also have music on the street until 1 or XNUMX:XNUMX in the morning. And I have also called the police, which has also been useless. All very nice policemen, but I still can't sleep until these restaurants turn down the music. In fact, the last time I called the police it was sadly funny: I called them to complain that "the two restaurants in the square had loud music" (it was one in the morning), a police car came, and, the Two officers, instead of walking past these restaurants to see if they did indeed have music, parked at the far end of the square. A few seconds later they call me from the police station to ask me which restaurant was making noise (both of them!). I had to go downstairs to meet the policemen and point my finger at the only two restaurants with terraces. All kindness, none proactivity.
And to this we must add garbage trucks that pass by at any hour of the morning and, of course, individuals who, perhaps seeking to compensate for some emotional deficiency, have to drive vehicles (cars and, above all, motorcycles) that produce a unjustifiable noise. But, of course, this does not matter to the authorities.
The only positive thing is that in two months I will return to my hometown and all this will be forgotten. Denia is for drinking beer and sunbathing. If you want to create value for society, it is better to find a more appropriate place.
I have been going down to Denia for more than 40 years I consider it my second city my second home my in-laws had an apartment there I met my girlfriend my wife today and I started going down. The beaches were really crap they began to fix them after a few years apart, the port was all stones I remember that there a relative of mine and I rescued a German who crashed with a plane and those were stones that had not a single grain of sand, later all that was removed and sand began to be added and the beach that overlooks the port was made all that new, but I have to say on the beaches and I am sorry, because I consider Dénia my second home that the beaches are crap I don't understand the Posidonia I think the Posidonia is the one that is in the sea that is green and leafy but what is on the shores that is not good for anything other than creating a bad smell and bug flies, mosquitoes and crap so I can't understand how the City Council, which I think is the main responsible for the money that they charge all of us who have a house there in Dénia and we contribute, I think that enough money does not keep the beaches in good condition and that they do not tell me stories of the Posidonia that the ecologists are those of we can are those on the right of those on the left I don't care about the color we have to take care of the environment and we take care of it the dunes take care that there will be people who disagree, but what we don't It can be taking some children to a beach and they can't even bathe because it's all full of straw silt because everything that comes out of the sea is no longer worth it because if that were worth it it would be treated differently, but that's already straw and it creates bad smells take these into account and put your batteries into action and work on everything, obviously there are many people who will also enjoy music, discobars, discos but I think we must bear in mind that we have all been young and we have all liked to have fun now lately the only thing we do is make obstacles put up prohibit prohibit prohibit prohibit please please let's think with our heads a little we have all been young or we do not remember the parties we have organized we are going to be a little tolerant and let's start in our own houses to impose respect but knowingly not doing and putting prohibitions and the fault of all this is whoever gives things away, things have to be earned by working you can not give free money that generates what it generates if you give me I spend free money as free as you have given it to me and I don't give a damn about setting up numbers because since it doesn't cost me anything now if it cost me to earn what I'm spending we would see if things didn't change Denia has always been a city I loved it, but we have to take care of it and let's start by taking care of people, clean beaches and respecting each other, which I think is the most important thing, I can give my opinion in one way and you in another, but the main thing is respect
Thanks for the writing Rafael. But the new style of Tourism has nothing to do with the old one. That's what we talk about. What you explain is very interesting.
Nationalism is destroying Dénia.
Now they want to spend money on moving the Archaeological Museum to Cavallers Street.
Anything but give work and improve transportation.
Amazing.
And as for the Valencian, that they respect the Spanish that is the language of all
I tell you in Spanish: go fuck yourself
As if those childish linguistic piques were going to help us Joan de Pesic.
This Joanpedic is a bean fool, uneducated and redneck
As much as you
We are all screwed because of nationalists like you. I'm sure you don't understand politics or know how to write in Spanish without making spelling mistakes. Study English or something productive and let others have an opinion! Rude intransigent!!
Note that where there are populists such as Compromis or Podemos, business is already beginning to be questioned.
They want their "subjects" to live off the subsidy while they live off the story and our taxes
The phenomenon of mass predatory tourism is global. And the ineffectiveness of governments in this regard as well. AIRBNB is a North American company based in San Francisco, for example.
What do they promote? Illegal tourist rentals and urban tourism speculation. That's what they promote and that's what they attract.
The council must get its act together and start carrying out inspections of illegal rentals. Most of those who rent are not from Dénia nor do they have an interest in maintaining well-being.
Exactly. They are not interested in maintaining well-being nor are they interested in maintaining Denia. Illegals do not pay taxes and many legal ones, they have the license only to appear, they do not pay them either, since they live in other countries, look for them, they know it and they take advantage of it.
Well, answering the question….. we have the tourism model that we deserve.
This is what happens for years supporting a progressive pseudo-bourgeoisie that has always demonstrated its inability to modernize our Town and ensure a quality future to attract “high-end” tourism.
The only thing that matters to them is filling their pockets, collecting commissions and raising taxes, without looking at that beyond that is necessary to maintain the economic model created for Denia and its sustainability.
Citizens, citizenship and their well-being do not give a damn and they show it every day.
From June to September no one lives. I encourage you to report all tourist rentals to the Treasury inspection!!
In Xabia the exact same thing is happening to us. Residents are making our summers bitter. And these are getting longer!
Well, imagine what it has meant for cities like Venice or Barcelona. All year and the social structure destroyed. do you understand now?
This is not going to change, it is going to get worse... You have to accept it... The only and effective thing, what people need with a strong hand... Good package to the one with the bottle on the beach or civilian policemen... To the one with the music at so many good package and the holidays are over... That the just X sinners do not pay... You have to live, enjoy, respect...
The council must get its act together and start carrying out inspections of illegal rentals. Most of those who rent are not from Dénia nor do they have an interest in maintaining well-being.
What does Juan say, that since he doesn't live and eat from tourism (he believes it) that the thousands of families who do do so will be annoyed.
It doesn't say that, you wrote that, Jopelin.
Dirt, lots of dirt; Absence of parks and gardens outside the center and, above all, unworthy beaches due to the occupation of the sand by Posidonia, which causes dirt and bad odors.
The technicians talk and give a lecture on the characteristics that the Posidonia provides, but when we go to the beach we can only see dirt and indecent shores.
We don't want to know what the Posidonia does. We just want to enjoy our clean and beautiful beaches.
Dirt in Denia, especially in the Las Marinas area, has been a fact for years. I live there all year.
Bottle tourism is getting MORE and MORE….
It is a pity the degradation of the city.
What a pity. From the year 90 to 2000 my family with four children, we enjoyed the summer in Las Marinas, we went from Valladolid and we stayed for a month. The rents weren't cheap, but there was good tourism, no fuss, quiet... We loved it. How they copy the tourism chundarata de la Safor, I see you badly. I'm very sorry, here it's a lot and bad, rather than little and good... It'll weigh us down, now!!
It is a pity that in this area of the coast there is so much crime and nothing is done to prevent it, many cars are stolen to take them abroad, I was robbed in May in Gandia, and of course I will not return to these beaches.
Talking about economic alternatives to tourism in Denia is fine, but what are these, exactly? The cultivation of the raisin? The Orange? Fishing? The only existing industry in Denia is Borrell, the rest are just services that would disappear if tourism left.
Ladies and gentlemen who don't like tourism, concrete ideas please, enough complaining.
Good morning,
in part I have to give him reason, but in part not.
Those who should bring proposals and solutions to the discontent and obvious annoyances of the citizenry are our elected representatives, so misnamed "political."
They are paid by the municipal government to manage and, above all, ensure the well-being and sustainability of the population and the municipality.
Tourism obviously yes, but with sustainability for the city, less impact on the lives of its citizens, its economy and to the right extent.
We have every right to raise our voices when an economic activity that is of no benefit to the population ceases to be so and begins to be the problem.
This city has been built millennia ago for people to live in, not as a theme park for the masses of tourists.
I repeat it, those who must solve this or at least bring proposals, are the ones who are paid for it.
I believe that the role of politicians is to manage public services as well as the application of the specifically urban law regarding this issue.
Politicians are not, cannot, and should not be business developers of industries, sectors, or economic activities. They have neither the skills nor the capabilities for that. Economic development is in the hands of the private, unless we want to live in a centrally planned economy.
Well,
instinct that partly because the economic and growth model is decided by the city councils.
Licenses are granted for an activity "x" and not for another.
That is why I think that the answer and the solution could come from the commitment of both parties.
In other words, collaboration between the business world and the public legislative part.
But always putting the interest of the majority of citizens, their well-being and sustainability first.
Biofuel company with the algae released by the sea. There was a project but nobody paid attention.
Ship work, maintenance, repairs etc.. as it is done in Mallorca. There is only one shipyard that offers some service, but it is very limited.
Two examples of differentiated, undeveloped sectors that are turned their backs on.
Surely all good ideas but do you really think that it is the responsibility of politicians to develop these sectors and activities? With public money? And based on what concept?
If these and others are truly good ideas, it would be up to the private investor to develop them, don't you think so? Even you who bet on those ideas.
Companies are set up by Entrepreneurs, not politicians Alberto, and you know it, why are you asking me if I think it is the responsibility of politicians to develop different sectors with public money? Hahaha. You were asking for proposals, I give them to you and you come to me with the little question about "the politicians." Enough of complaints, you say… stop playing Alberto, I tell you. What are your proposals to start? We set up the Biofuel company or it scares him.
Gentlemen, the concrete ideas that are proposed by those who charge for it. I would miss more.
As you can read in my answers above we don't pay politicians and they don't have to develop industries or economic activities. With what money? Based on what mandate?
Its reason for being involves addressing, managing problems and solving them. It's called work.
Alberto, that's not industry, it's piracy. Industry is the honest hoteliers who pay their taxes and their licenses. These are illegal flats. If they want to carry out an activity, let them regulate themselves like everyone else. This is illegal, it prevents access to the house, annoys the neighbors and does not contribute to the municipality
I don't understand your comment. I do not condone or support cheap or wild rent. What I am saying is that what are the economic alternatives to tourism in Denia?
If you and the other commentators do not work at Borrell and are still active, you are 100% dependent today on tourism for your jobs. Or are you reformed and then who pays your pensions? Or you are tourists and part of the problem.
What I am saying is that those who do not like tourism what do they do to develop other economic activities? Comment in this forum?
Leave
Setting up companies that you don't even know exist, Alberto. What is yours?
We want quality tourism, not drunkenness and partying with few benefits and only for a few.
Cheap tourism spams quality, quiet and family tourism.
The natives of Denia cannot all be on vacation.
By the way, tourism in Gandía is changing for the better and it shows.
hello, it is fair to say that the city is no longer attractive and above all the dirt is horrible and now it is there all year round.
It is fascinating to observe how the infinite wisdom of the politicians who govern Dénia, has decided to bet exclusively on tourism as their only source of income. It is as if the local 'leaders' have consulted a crystal ball and it has revealed to them that tourism is the only answer to prosperity. Who needs to diversify the economy when you can put all your eggs in one basket, and pray that nothing goes wrong?
And, of course, let's talk about garbage management and street cleaning. Who needs clean streets when you can have the real smell of garbage in the air? It is the new distinctive perfume that only Dénia can offer. Although the highlight is the dependence on tourism. Who needs financial stability when you can live in constant risk of a change in the tourism industry leaving you bankrupt? Stability is for wimps, right? The constant risk that a change in tourism will leave the city bankrupt is a priceless thrill! Thus, the politicians of Dénia have opted for the constant emotion of playing Russian roulette with their economy.
In summary, it seems that we are facing a masterpiece of planned folly, where Dénia's politicians are misunderstood geniuses who play chess in a world of Chinese checkers. Demonstrating an amazing ability to rely solely on tourism and leave out any other alternative, or even more beneficial source of income. It is a perfect example of how NOT to approach the management of the local economy in an intelligent, responsible, and efficient way. A reckless audacity on the part of the local council.
Good comment despite the tourist industry??? The industry is to manufacture products and tourism to sell services...
Good clarification David and I would add, housing, home, is that room that is used to live, not to rent for days for leisure and supposed pleasure.
In case you didn't know, the tourism industry is the tourism sector. We depend on that industry.
Another, Tourism does not produce anything, it is not an Industry, it is a service. How afraid you are of authentic professional work.
Vicente, it's called the tertiary sector
Ramon, thanks for the note. See how you know.
I have never seen so much dirt in Denia. It is a shame!!. They only clean and take care of the people. Those of us who live in Las Marinas, next to Aldy. We are very angry. We pay our taxes, what they ask of us. And we do not see anywhere, where they are going. what was said Regrettable!. Sucissimo! And we've been here for 16 years.
In Dénia they do not know how to manage tourism.
Silly things like the total closure of the center, asking the Generalitat to pay for an intermodal station when they have already spent a cane in the misery of the current station, the Valero de Palma house as a history museum having the Ethnological museum,
The creation of a FP center in the port instead of betting on culture and making a worthy Theater-Auditorium for Dénia or a PGE that contemplates the growth of the city up to 55.000 inhabitants building without stopping and wasting land in parks and areas green when there is a lot of empty housing, all this will lead to a disastrous picture from which the politicians and the Mayor will get away with it.
From the Spanish Popular Movement we will continue to defend a radical change for Dénia and the improvement of these policies.
Tourism is necessary but you have to know how to handle it.
The FP Center would be to train people professionally and create jobs, but if that bothers you, what do you want me to tell you...
I totally agree…..and not to mention the dirtiness of the. streets, before I lived happier than a partridge in baix la mar, I had to sell to make way for tourism and its many bars and restaurants... today I live retired from. Center a relatively quiet area with a park behind the house. turned into a meodrome. dogs, the streets with so much dirt that they are frankly unhealthy due to the bad smell they give off…..we can only continue waiting for it to rain because the only important road seems to be Marques de Campo…..what a pity
Yes, Fair, but I don't think the nightlife is to blame, rather economic interest. It is called Gentifrication and unfortunately we are already living it, the “tourist” historical centers displace and force the residents to move, leaving restaurants, shops, houses that are only for tourist rentals among the heritage monuments as tourist use.
Examples like Venice, Barcelona and of course here it is already in Baix la Mar, Loreto or les Roques
And the natives leave the center, in some cases forced to peripheral neighborhoods created on the outskirts!
Exactly, until the Center is saturated, becomes more expensive and they begin to speculate in the suburbs as well and the cancer spreads.
Yes, that's right, there are very few of us who have always lived here, since we were born, and sadly we are witnesses of the lack of application of the rules, they may exist, they exist, but we do not know if it is due to a lack of agents or a lack of interest, that are not applied, and that complaints remain complaints, sadly we have not lost our rights, the right to rest, the right to sleep, the right to be able to walk our streets, the right to be able to open the windows, many, many rights lost. Unfortunately what is detailed here is true, and I share most of the opinions reflected in the article. A real shame, and an incredible lack of desire on the part of those who should keep the basic interests of coexistence.
Thanks, Fair Good Article, but I don't think leisure is really to blame, it's called Gentifrication and unfortunately it's already happening in Dénia, resulting in a "historical tourist" center where the inhabitants have been displaced examples
Venice, Barcelona
Sad, very sad
There is a programmatic measure that must be applied as soon as possible: put an end to “pirate” tourist apartments. Better before than after. That would have a double effect, take away low cost tourism and open access to housing for Dianenses. It is urgent
The Law already exists. Tourist Accommodation Regulation Law. It is very clear and detailed but they do not apply it, nor that stupidity that they invented from the Code of Ethics for Valencian tourism. Neither the Town Halls nor the Neighboring Communities, which can apply it in their internal regulations and in their community statutes, no matter how much they cry, can apply it and they do not.
To what this good article has said, we must add that the city council does not spend a euro in tourist residential areas and that it has opted for the car. Numbers of car parks around the city instead of public transport other than that bus not suitable for any city or citizen.
They don't spend a penny because tourists come and go, they're passing through and they're not going to go to the Town Hall to file an application due to the absence of sidewalks, no buses, no lighting or because the septic tanks are overflowing.
So what should be done?
Apply the Tourist Rental Regulation Laws that exist and do not apply. Another would be: Limit the tourist rental to certain and limited areas, not allowing it within Denia. But the speculators have already begun to scratch in the Barrio del Castillo. They will expel all the neighbors and make it 100% tourist. Large and authentic cities have fallen, Barcelona, Venice, Amsterdam…..A coastal town like Denia is late, that's why they are here speculating, the rest is already hackneyed, Peñiscola is another example, only another crisis will stop it.