The recent strengthening of the pound is just one of the contributing factors to the soaring numbers of holiday bookings on the Costa del Sol this year. Early indications show that increases in occupancy rates, visitors numbers and tourism employment levels are beginning to rival those figures recorded in 2008.
Over the past few years, there has been steady growth in the sector and the tourist board for the Costa del Sol was greatly encouraged by the positivity demonstrated during 2014, when over 10.2 million visitors holidayed in the area. However, if the figures from the beginning of the year prove to be a good indicator, 2015 will be even better!
Of course, the repercussions of this growth will be enthusiastically received throughout the Costa del Sol where retailers, property developers and restauranteurs represent just a few of the industries set to benefit.
Job seekers are also welcoming the news. Already in 2015, the number of workers employed in hotels across the Costa del Sol has risen, with approximately 250 more workers on the payroll than in the same period of 2014.
There is a certain buzz around the area’s bars, cafés and restaurants, where visiting Brits are being seen to appreciate just how much they can get for their pound this year, compared to 2014 and the year before. But it’s not just the pound note traders who are visiting in their droves. Visitors from Belgium, Italy and Sweden are now among the biggest spenders on the Costa del Sol.
So far this year (in January and February) 454,999 visitors have stayed in local hotels. Many of those hotels that have closed during the winter in the past were persuaded to stay open over the 2014 / 2015 winter thanks to the constant flow of newcomers to the area. This period is generally very quiet, so figures are superbly encouraging for the rest of the year and seem to indicate that the main tourist summer season will be very busy.
Marbella and the Costa del Sol depend in great measure upon successful tourist seasons, and their local town halls will be thrilled by the statistics released for 2015 so far, which indicate that it’s going to be a very busy year indeed! “There is no doubt that if the pound continues to strengthen and interest rates remain at an all time low, British buyers will continue to have much more disposable income to put towards their travels and enjoyment of their properties in Spain,” says Massimo Filippa of Greenlife Estates.
Massimo Filippa
