Costa del Sol records a historic summer with 30% surge in tourism revenue
The Costa del Sol has celebrated an exceptional summer season, marking a historic milestone with an impressive 30% increase in tourism revenue. More tourists than ever flocked to this popular Spanish destination, injecting a record amount of money into the local economy.
Francisco Salado, President of Turismo Costa del Sol, announced that six million tourists graced the province of Malaga with their presence between June and August, contributing a staggering 8.145 billion euros to the local economy. This remarkable figure surpasses all previous records, including the peak year for tourism in the region, which was 2019.
"We have experienced an exceptionally positive June, July, and August for our tourism sector. This summer, we welcomed six million tourists, representing a 4.8% increase compared to the previous year and a 5.7% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels," Salado remarked.
Optimism prevails for the forthcoming three months, as Salado noted, "We are optimistic because the data encourages us." The availability of seats for flights to the Costa del Sol has risen by 23.4% during September, October, and November, with connections expanding from 119 to 122 cities and an increase in the number of airlines serving the region.
However, he pointed out that domestic travel among Spaniards has not matched the same growth trajectory as international tourism this year. He attributed this slowdown to an increase in mortgages and rising inflation. "We have virtually regained the international tourists we had before the pandemic. The numbers are only 0.3% lower than the figures recorded in what had previously been the Costa del Sol's best tourist year," he explained.
The United Kingdom emerged as the leading source market for the Costa del Sol, followed by France, the Netherlands, and Germany. Notably, French, Dutch, and German tourists have surpassed 2019 levels with remarkable increases of 14%, 35.9%, and 12.8%, respectively. Additionally, Italian visitors to Malaga province experienced a notable surge, with a 22.6% increase during the summer season.
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