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2017 Was “Spectacular” For Costa del Sol Tourism

12.5 million tourists hit the Costa del Sol
12.5 million tourists hit the Costa del Sol

12.5 million tourists hit the Costa del Sol in 2017

The Costa del Sol had a “spectacular tourist year” in 2017, according to the President of Costa del Sol Tourism, Elías Bendodo.

In a press conference on Thursday morning, Bendodo expressed his delight at figures showing 9.5% growth in tourist revenues for the holiday-hotspot.

Bendodo said “the record figures follow the general trend of Spain, a country that received 82 million international tourists and with revenues that grew by 12%.”

“And the Costa del Sol is not far behind: we closed 2017 with a total of 12.5 million tourists, which represents an increase of 6.4% over 2016,” said Bendodo. He also added that the international market has risen 8.2%, “while the national market confirms its recovery with growth of almost 4%.”

The increases in passengers from the main emitting countries helped the figures; “standing out in absolute terms, with increases of more than 80,000 passengers, were the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany”. The figures for Italy and Denmark also stand out.

Positive Economic Impact

He added that “what is also important is that this new flood of tourists is reflected in the generation of employment and wealth throughout the province. The economic impact of our main industry in 2017 amounts to 13,830 million euros, which is 9.5% more than in 2016.”

The tourism head did not want to miss the chance to mention the good employment figures. “The number of people employed in the Costa del Sol tourism sector has risen 8.8% in the last year, with 111,172 workers, reflected in the social security figures.”

Fitur 2018

The Costa del Sol has enormous potential to seduce the national tourist with its long, warm summer days and the upcoming Fitur 2018 offers the chance to increase the numbers, especially in the low season.

5.1 million national tourists visited the province of Malaga in 2017, most of them from Andalusia, as well as Madrid, Catalonia and Castilla y León; “In total, these areas emit more than two thirds of the tourists who arrive”, Bendodo said. The domestic market generated revenues of 4,374 million, as well as the creation of 52,813 jobs, although many were seasonal.

Although it is true that in the domestic market the number of hotel travellers decreased by 6%, it is important to note that extra-hotel travellers (staying in private properties, hostels, campsites etc) increased by 23.3%.

To boost national tourism, Bendodo says that at Fitur this year “our main mission will be to confirm the definitive recovery of the market… our leadership in the sun and beach segment, but also to enhance the winter period, while continuing to promote the segments of interior tourism, including gastronomy, golf and cultural attractions.”

In summary Bendodo said that the province of Malaga faces Fitur with the endorsement of a 2017 that became “the best in Costa del Sol tourism history, with spectacular growth in the international market and recovery in the national market.”

Forecasts for 2018 predict an increase of 2.5% in the first four months of the year.