The Valencian Community has recorded an increase in traffic and tourism during the Christmas holidays.

In the lead-up to the Christmas holidays, the Valencian Community is experiencing a noticeable increase in transport and tourism activity. According to preliminary data from the regional traffic department of the Valencian Community, traffic volume on key highways in Alicante Province has increased by an average of 15-20% in recent days compared to normal December levels.

Public transport has also seen an increase in passenger traffic. The regional operator, TRAM d'Alacant, reported an increase in trips on coastal routes of approximately 18%, particularly on the Benidorm-Alicante route and the southern sections serving tourist areas.

The pressure is most noticeable in the coastal municipalities of Alicante Province. The municipalities of Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja, and Guardamar del Segura report increased occupancy rates in public parking lots—at certain times, they reach 90-95%, especially near the promenades and shopping areas. No serious traffic disruptions or accidents were reported.

According to José Antonio Martínez, a spokesman for the Torrevieja municipal police, increased patrols and temporary traffic diversions helped avoid congestion even during peak hours:

"We expected a more complex situation, but traffic was manageable," he noted.

There were also some curious incidents. Last weekend, in the La Zenia neighborhood, a municipal police patrol stopped a minibus whose driver was transporting a nearly three-meter-long artificial Christmas tree secured to the roof with beach towels. The violation was met with a verbal warning, and a photo quickly went viral in local chat rooms as "the southernmost Christmas delivery of the year."

Regional authorities stepped up coordination between the DGT, municipal police, and emergency services in advance. According to Protección Civil, no incidents related to overloaded transport infrastructure were recorded during the holidays.