As Spain struggles with its own small boats migrants crisis from Africa, the resort area of Costa Blanca and its hotels like the ParqueMar and other prime tourist lodgings are being used to house newly arrived migrants.
For those migrants who succeed in braving the world’s most treacherous routes from west Africa, the ParqueMar in Spain provides comfort and security. Yet according to one recent British guest, holidaymakers have been hit by the switch from tourist hotel to migrant accommodation.
Retired British tourist Robert Jamison claimed he and wife Maxine, both 68, were “kicked out” of the ParqueMar six nights into a two-week break last month to make way for the new arrivals. The ex-Ministry of Defence worker told British Newspaper The Sun “They weren’t told the refugees would be arriving during their stay and that their holiday was “ruined”.
Bob alleged they were left to rent a private apartment when the ParqueMar failed to make alternative arrangements.
The hotel sent Robert a message through Booking.com on October 30 telling him they “regretted the decision” to ask the couple to leave — but that it was “an order of the state”. Booking.com later refunded the couple for the days remaining on their stay.
The ParqueMar said it liaised with guests at the hotel — which has committed to housing refugees until December 31 — when the first of 231 migrants arrived. A spokesman insisted they helped source alternative accommodation for tourists and that some who left said it was through “fear” — despite the migrants being “totally harmless”.
A spokesman for Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration said it was “categorically false” that tourists had been “expelled” from hotels.
The migrants staying at the venue in pleasant Guardamar del Segura, 24 miles down the coast from Alicante, are all male and mostly Senegalese, with a smattering of others from The Gambia and Morocco. Some are fleeing political unrest and violence, others grinding poverty.
Gambian youngsters are part of the biggest ever migration surge on the Canary Islands
Others, mostly English speakers from former British colony The Gambia, want a new life in the UK. Gambian Omar Sowe, 36, a small businessman, said: “I would like to join my friend in Liverpool. I tried to get a UK student visa.”
And Ibrahim Mbye, 16, told the Sun: “When I go to Holland, France, Germany or England, I want to be a driver. “I left Gambia as there were no jobs. I’m here to help my family.”
His pal, 19, a Manchester United fan, added: “My dream is Britain.” Another Gambian shows videos of their Atlantic voyage by traditional wooden boats — known as cayucos — from Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands.
The ramshackle vessels are frequently wrecked or are blown off course amid the Atlantic breakers. One charity estimates 778 perished on the route in the first half of this year.
Eyes wide, Ousman Njie, 17, said: “We were on the waves for five days, surviving on just water and biscuits, with over 100 people on the boat. We were in God’s hands.”
Fresh from the terrifying journey, the young men are brimming with enthusiasm for the future as they wait for the Spanish government to decide if they can remain.
They spend their time either beside the beach or in the shade of pine trees in a park next to the hotel.
