Costa Blanca North
Marina Alta business awards celebrate ALE-HOP success and Alzheimer’s care innovation
The Marina Alta’s leading business awards have revealed their 2026 winners, with recognitions ranging from international retail success stories to a heartfelt university project designed to improve life for Alzheimer’s patients.
The XVIII CEDMA Awards, organised by the Cercle Empresarial de la Marina Alta, highlighted the growing strength, creativity and social impact of businesses and professionals across the Costa Blanca North region.
The winners were chosen following a jury meeting held in Dénia ahead of the official awards ceremony, which will take place on June 4 at the Hotel Dénia Marriott.
Alzheimer’s therapy project praised
One of the most emotional moments of the announcement came with the Best Final Degree Project award, which went to social work student Lady Johana Arenas Gaitán.
Her project focuses on using dog-assisted therapy to support elderly Alzheimer’s patients living in the Marina Alta. The initiative explores how interaction with specially trained animals can help improve emotional wellbeing, reduce isolation and encourage communication among dementia sufferers.
The award reflects a growing focus on healthcare innovation and community wellbeing within the region.
ALE-HOP founders honoured
The prestigious business trajectory award was presented to CLAVE Dénia, the company behind the hugely successful ALE-HOP retail chain.
Founded in the Marina Alta, ALE-HOP has grown from a local business into an internationally recognised brand with stores across Spain and Europe. The award celebrated both the company’s impressive expansion and its continued connection to the local area.
The recognition also shines a spotlight on the Marina Alta’s growing reputation for producing ambitious businesses capable of achieving international success.
Sustainability and innovation take centre stage
Environmental responsibility and innovation were key themes throughout this year’s awards.
Bodegas Trenza received the sustainability prize for its restoration of a historic Benissa estate and commitment to preserving traditional Moscatel vineyards. The project was recognised for combining wine production with heritage conservation and environmental care.
Meanwhile, Llobell Pesca picked up the innovation award after modernising its operations with digital tools and more sustainable fishing practices, helping adapt a traditional industry for the future.
Tourism and gastronomy recognised
Cristina Sellés received a special award for her contribution to the Marina Alta through tourism and gastronomy promotion.
Her work has helped strengthen the area’s culinary reputation, particularly through projects linked to Dénia’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status.
The awards once again demonstrated the diversity and ambition of the Marina Alta business community — from international retail brands to local sustainability projects and socially driven innovation.
Costa Blanca North
Duna Dorada festival brings beach parties, 2000s pop stars and summer vibes to Oliva
Coastal dancing at Oliva beach and iconic performers like El Arrabato
Credit: Wikipedia/Facebook
The is preparing to transform Oliva’s coastline into a huge open-air party this May, with a line-up packed full of chart-topping artists, nostalgic throwbacks and beachside energy.
Set to take place on Friday May 22 and Saturday 23 beside Oliva beach, the new festival is already generating major buzz across the Costa Blanca and Valencia regions thanks to its mix of famous Spanish and Latin music acts, relaxed Mediterranean setting and feel-good holiday atmosphere.
Hosted at the Summer Market venue near the seafront, the two-day event promises sunset concerts, food stalls, cocktails and late-night dancing – all within walking distance of the beach.
A line-up packed with nostalgia
Friday’s programme leans heavily into pop nostalgia and singalong favourites, with performances from Cali y El Dandee, David DeMaría, Cepeda, Ella Baila Sola and Las Ketchup.
For many festivalgoers, it will feel like a soundtrack straight from the early 2000s, with several of the artists behind some of Spain’s most recognisable summer hits.
Saturday shifts into full fiesta mode, with El Arrebato, David Civera, Efecto Mariposa, Chimo Bayo and King África leading the second night of celebrations. Organisers say the aim is to create a festival that combines live music with the carefree atmosphere of a Mediterranean beach holiday.
Concerts are expected to begin from 6pm each evening and continue late into the night, allowing visitors to enjoy the sunset before the main performances take over.
More than just a music festival
Duna Dorada is also being promoted as a lifestyle event, blending music with gastronomy, leisure and tourism along the Valencian coast.
Local businesses are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors, with hotels, restaurants and bars in Oliva and surrounding Costa Blanca North towns likely to see a boost during the festival weekend.
Events like this have become increasingly important for coastal destinations looking to attract visitors outside the peak summer months, while also helping showcase the region to younger travellers searching for music, culture and beach experiences in one place.
Mediterranean festival atmosphere
One of the festival’s biggest draws is its location. Unlike large city-based music events, Duna Dorada offers a more relaxed coastal experience, with attendees able to spend the day at the beach before heading into the evening concerts.
Organisers say the combination of sea views, warm spring evenings and crowd-pleasing artists is designed to create “the ultimate Mediterranean music escape”.
Tickets and further information are available through the festival’s official website.
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Costa Blanca North is preparing to host one of its most quietly captivating events this weekend, as the Costa Blanca Handpan Primavera returns to Albir on Saturday, May 9. Unlike traditional festivals, this is not about big stages or packed schedules, but about connection – bringing together musicians, makers and enthusiasts in a more intimate, immersive setting.
Centred around the handpan, a melodic steel instrument known for its calming, almost hypnotic sound, the gathering has grown steadily in recent years. What began as a small community meet-up has evolved into a recognised highlight of the region’s spring calendar, attracting artists from across Europe and beyond.
Music, nature and community combined
Set against the natural backdrop of Albir, the event blends live performances with open sessions, where attendees are encouraged to participate, collaborate and share in the music. Organisers emphasise that the experience goes beyond performance, creating space for meaningful interaction, creativity and wellbeing.
Alongside the music, visitors can expect a relaxed social atmosphere, with communal dining, local gastronomy and a focus on slow, mindful living. The Costa Blanca’s mild climate at this time of year adds to the appeal, allowing much of the event to unfold outdoors, surrounded by nature.
A growing international community
Over the past year, the Handpan community in the Costa Blanca has expanded significantly, with regular gatherings and a growing network of players and creators. This year’s Primavera edition reflects that momentum, featuring a diverse lineup of international artists alongside familiar faces who have helped shape the event’s identity.
For many, it is less about spectatorship and more about belonging. Attendees often describe the gathering as a shared experience rooted in music and emotion, where connections form naturally through sound and collaboration.
Why it matters now
As larger festivals dominate much of the summer calendar, smaller, community-led events like this are gaining attention for offering something different: an alternative that prioritises authenticity over scale. In a region known for its tourism and nightlife, the Handpan Primavera provides a more grounded, soulful counterpoint.
With its blend of music, nature and community spirit, the event continues to carve out a unique space on the Costa Blanca, drawing those in search of a slower, more meaningful kind of cultural experience.
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