Spanish holiday hotspots remain deserted despite British tourists welcomed back – as Magaluf party strip shuts down

SPAIN'S once popular holiday hotspots remain deserted as tourists stay away - despite Brits being welcomed back with open arms.

The country was one of the first to welcome British tourists back last month, after opening the borders and stopping all quarantine restrictions.

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With the UK following suit, and flights now resuming to destinations including Majorca and Ibiza, travellers still appear reluctant to return on holiday.

Eerie pictures show the once-busy streets and beaches devoid of anyone, with a few solo travellers having the area to themselves.

Bars and cafes remain empty while beaches have just a few families - despite it being full of holidaymakers this time last year.

British tourist Stephen Feather, 39, said he had "never seen [Benidorm] that dead".

He added: "Normally it is absolute chaos. The streets are full of laughter and there’s music blaring from all the bars.

"There were hardly any bars open and the streets were deserted."

Earlier this week, Spanish police closed down the Punta Ballena party strip in Magaluf after drunk hooligans wrecked a car.

Tourism Minister Lago Negueruela announced the move on Wednesday saying police would be mobilised to make sure all businesses including bars and restaurants in the raucous street closed their doors.

Two other party strips in S’Arenal east of Palma which are less popular with Brits, have also been told to close.

Now, the party strip has been abandoned by tourists.

Worried Brits have since said they cancel their holidays if it remains closed this summer.

Kerry Brogan Thomas wrote on Facebook: “Is it true the strip is getting closed for approximately two months following on from breaching social distance rules and poor behaviour?

“If this is the case I’ll be moving our trip for the third time this year.”

Jake Patterson posted: “I was meant to be flying out on the 16th of next month. Now the strip is closed is it worth coming?”

Airlines including Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 have resumed flights to Spain, in the hopes of restarting the summer season, while tour operators have offered seven-night deals for as little as £99.

This appears to have done little to persuade British travellers to return, however.

Spain was one of the hardest hit countries in Europe, with coronavirus cases hitting 305,935 - active cases remain at 80,561.

While lockdown measures have been eased, a number of regions have seen a spike in cases, leading to new restrictions.

Areas including Catalonia, including Barcelona, as well as Majorca, Ibiza and the Costa del Sol have all enforced face masks in public spaces, some going as far to fine hundreds of euros if they aren't worn on beaches.

Inland destinations in Spain are also struggling - with hotels in some cities just 25 per cent occupied.

Seville remains a ghost town with hotel occupancy across Andalusia an  - ten per cent lower than the hotels along the coast in cities such as Malaga.

Madrid has also been deserted, with the tourists who visit for designer shops conspicuously absent.