text: Think global cultural attractions and it's not the first destination that springs to mind. But Benidorm, the package holiday Mecca famous for a lowbrow British TV sitcom and adult entertainer Sticky Vicky is bidding for Unesco World Heritage status. However, the brash British holiday playground is not getting ideas above its station, say those pushing for its membership to the world's most exclusive culture club. Scroll down for video . High rise holiday resort Benidorm, dating to the 1960s, wants the same recognition as other 'world wonders' like Stonehenge, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China . Sociology professor Mario Gaviria, the force behind an application to Unesco, argues that Benidorm should be praised for being one of the few places where beach holidays are accessible for all . They believe the high rise holiday resort dating to the 1960s deserves the same recognition as other 'world wonders' like Stonehenge, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. Sociology professor Mario Gaviria, the force behind the application, argues that Benidorm should be praised for being one of the few places where beach holidays are accessible for all. 'During the past 50 years, some 250 million visitors have enjoyed Benidorm. It's a symbol of harmonious coexistence that happily brings together people of all nationalities and languages,' he said. Many Britons know the resort because of popular comedy Benidorm, featuring The Garvey Family (pictured) Spain already boasts more than 40 Unesco world heritage sites, including Granada's Alhambra Palace and Donana National Park in Huelva. Benidorm officials said the mass-market resort was applying in order to reinvent its own image. 'It's the most sustainable and best-designed city of the Mediterranean,' said Mayor Agustín Navarro. 'We want to protect all that we've achieved during the recent decades as well as give it dignity and value.' A decision over the application could take up to six years to be made. Benidorm officials said the mass-market resort was applying in order to reinvent its own image .
target: Benidorm officials said the resort was applying to reinvent its own image .
  'It's a symbol of harmonious coexistence,' says sociology professor .
  Mayor Agustín Navarro said 'it's the  best-designed city of the Med'