Speakers
Antonio Pérez
Mayor of Benidorm
Toni Pérez was born in Benidorm in 1968. He completed his primary education at Leonor de Canalejas Public School and secondary studies at IES Pere María Orts i Bosch, where his social awareness and involvement in youth movements began to take shape.
He studied Labor Relations and passed the entrance exams for the former Caja de Ahorros de Alicante y Murcia. From a young age, he has been actively involved in Benidorm’s community and social fabric.
His commitment to public service began after joining the People’s Party (Partido Popular), with which he has served as a councilor in the Benidorm City Council since 1995. Over several terms, he has held positions such as spokesperson for the Municipal Popular Group and councilor for Human Resources and Personnel, Youth, and Education—leading initiatives that established one of the most comprehensive educational infrastructure networks in the Valencian Community.
Since 2015, he has been the Mayor of Benidorm, where he also oversees the Department of Tourism, and since July 2023, he has served as President of the Provincial Council of Alicante.
As mayor, he has spearheaded the city’s transformation toward a new model of development based on smart tourism, change management, and new technologies serving both residents and visitors. Under his leadership, Benidorm became the first city in the world to be certified as a Smart Tourist Destination.
He currently serves as President of the Commission of Local Entities for the 2030 Agenda, a Member of the Smart Tourist Destinations Network (Red DTI), a Member of the Spain Convention Bureau, President of the People’s Party in the Province of Alicante, and a member of both the Regional Committee of the People’s Party of the Valencian Community and the National Executive Committee.
Session:
- BC07 - Coasts for All: Accessibility as a Brand of Identity
BC07 · Coastlines for All: Accessibility as a Hallmark of Identity
Accessibility on the coast is much more than a legal obligation: it is an opportunity to differentiate destinations, attract new audiences, and ensure that everyone can enjoy the coastal experience on equal terms. This round table will bring together municipalities that have been recognized for their good practices and awards in accessibility, along with international trendsetters, to share how inclusion can become a hallmark and competitive advantage.
Through real-life examples, we will analyze how to integrate universal accessibility into beaches, promenades, transportation, cultural offerings, and municipal services, as well as the role these projects play in promoting tourism and social cohesion.