Benidorm and Valencia Are Using Phone Tracking and AI to Manage Beach Overcrowding

Real-Time Crowd Monitoring on the Costa Blanca

Benidorm and Valencia are rolling out a combination of phone tracking technology and artificial intelligence to monitor and manage beach overcrowding in real time ahead of the peak summer season. The system is being deployed across beaches, promenades, historic centres and key landmarks throughout the Valencian Community, with Altea also among the participating destinations.

The technology was showcased by Nealis, a company based in Castellón, at the Digital Tourist conference held in Benidorm.

How It Works

The system pulls together data from several sources:

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signal detection — passively picking up anonymous signals from mobile devices to count how many people are present in an area
• Mobile operator data — aggregated, anonymised information from telecoms networks
• AI-powered cameras — used for crowd counting and vehicle counting
• Sensors deployed throughout tourist areas

Crowd density data updates approximately every 30 minutes. Authorities and visitors can see a traffic-light style alert system — green, amber, or red — showing current crowd levels at beaches, car parks, and specific streets in real time.

Fully Anonymous — No Personal Data Captured

The system captures no personal information. Phones are detected purely as a presence signal — the technology counts devices in a given area without identifying who they belong to or tracking individual movements. This distinction is central to how the system has been designed and presented to the public.

The Goal: Faster Reactions, Less Chaos

The technology is designed to allow local authorities to "react faster and avoid chaos during the busiest periods of the year" — reducing congestion, improving safety, and preventing overcrowding in environmentally sensitive coastal areas. The aim is to improve the experience for both tourists visiting for a day and residents who live alongside them year-round.

For visitors planning beach days in Benidorm or Valencia this summer, the traffic-light system offers a practical way to check crowd levels before heading out — and potentially choose a quieter time or alternative stretch of coast.

This article is based on reporting from Alicante Today, published May 8, 2026.