The attractiveness of Holy Week in Malaga, the arrival of good weather and the elimination of the restrictions imposed until recently by COVID-19 have made the tourism sector begin to see glimpses of the desired and necessary recovery. Thus, according to the Association of Hotel Businessmen of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos) the month of April will close with an average occupancy of 72.34%, of which 59% are already of international origin, compared to 41% national.
According to José Luque, president of Aehcos, “the data shows that the sector is beginning to recover”. However – the Executive Committee points out – although “the occupancy data is good, it must be taken into account that profitability has suffered a notable decrease due to the increase in both energy costs and the prices of raw materials”.
By destinations, the forecast indicates that the most demanded during the month of April will be Malaga (83.52%), Torremolinos (71%) and Marbella (70.97%),
Balance of Holy Week
With most of the Costa del Sol hotel establishments already open, Aehcos positively values the balance of Holy Week in terms of occupancy.
To be more exact in the data, Aehcos has differentiated two sections: from April 8 to 18 and from April 13 to 18.
The first of them has been closed with an occupation of 75.84%, of which 55% have been of international origin, compared to 45% national. In these ten days, the Axarquia has headed the occupancy ranking, reaching 86.75%. Benalmádena has reached 85.64% and Malaga 84.91%.
On the other hand, during the Easter weekend, the data has risen several points to reach an average of 80.61% occupancy. On this occasion, contrary to what happened in the first days, the origin of the tourists has been mostly national: 52% compared to 48% international.
By destinations, as Aehcos has learned, between April 13 and 18, the most requested municipalities were Axarquia (90.10%), Benalmádena (87.26%), Málaga (86.77%), Torremolinos (84.02%), Nerja (83.62%), Marbella (81.92) and Ronda (81.10%).
“We hope that the coming months will continue this upward trend in occupancy and that costs will be regulated so that our sector can finally enjoy a good high season,” Luque wishes.
