Zaragoza, Package Holiday Inventor, Dies
Tom
When you next book a package holiday, whether it’s a beach or a city break, spare a thought for the inventor of the package holiday. The man credited with the package holiday, Pedro Zaragoza, died a few days ago at the age of 85, from heart failure.
Zaragoza was the Mayor of Benidorm for seventeen years, back in the 50’s and 60’s. In the 1950’s, conservative Spain had banned the bikini completely, a move which outraged the less conservative Europeans. Zaragoza made Benidorm incredibly popular by signing a decree allowing the bikini on its beaches. Tourists flooded the area but some people weren’t so happy.
The Roman Church started excommunication proceedings against Zaragoza and in fear of his job, he drove nine hours on a Vespa to Madrid to visit the Generalismo himself. Zaragoza must have been a persuasive man because he left with permission not only to continue allowing the bikini on his beaches but also to turn Benidorm into a tourist area.
Sleepy Benidorm turned into the buzzing resort it is now and the package holiday was invented as millions of Brits, Germans and Scandinavians poured onto its beaches.
Posted on: Monday, April 7, 2008 at 10:21 am 
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