The municipality received this award yesterday for the value of its coastal wealth.

The Hotel Vincci Los Patios in Malaga city hosted yesterday the first edition of the Village of the Year Awards, organised by Prensa Ibérica and La Opinión de Málaga. Alhaurín de la Torre, Coín, Nerja and Benalmádena won these first awards, which aim to give visibility to the work carried out by town councils, companies and civil entities in favour of the good development of their municipalities.

The initiative was sponsored by the Diputación de Málaga, Turismo Costa del Sol and the Public Company for the Management of Tourism and Sport. A jury was responsible for determining the municipalities selected from among the 24 participating towns in Malaga, three finalists per category. Afterwards, it was the public who, by popular vote, chose the winners through the website set up for this purpose.

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Diputación de Málaga, Francisco Salado, who highlighted in his speech the value of these awards as a way of making the work of the local councils visible and said he was 'proud of the province and of being from a village'.

Best Maritime Town

Benalmádena won the award for Best Maritime Town of the Year for the value of its coastal wealth, beating Torremolinos and Fuengirola in the voting. Its mayor, Víctor Navas, pointed out that 'the only thing Benalmádena lacks is snow', as the municipality has a very complete offer and many attractions. As well as having the advantage of the 'great visibility that we have traditionally had' in the coastal municipalities.

The Benalmadena councillor expressed his joy after receiving the award: 'Just today, when we celebrate World Tourism Day, we received this award from Prensa Ibérica and La Opinión de Málaga, whom we thank for this recognition of the efforts that the Benalmádena Town Hall has made in favour of the progress of our municipality. This award belongs to all the residents of Benalmádena, who with their votes have contributed to our town being the winner of this award. Thank you very much'.