The Costa del Sol faces with great concern the arrival of autumn and beyond the month of October. Forecasts for the months of September and October are not hopeful, since a fall of 29.68 points and 35.39 (respectively) is predicted compared to the same period of 2019.
Against this background, the president of the Association of Hotel Entrepreneurs of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos), Jose Luque, advocates a ERTE expansion, Since the last extension will take place at the end of September. According to the president, hoteliers live with uncertainty about the recovery of international markets, that they are not responding as expected. “In fact, as we have already mentioned, it has been national tourism that has saved the summer season in Andalusia”, recalled José Luque.
At the end of the strongest months in terms of tourism, the sector faces an uncertain autumn. According to forecasts, in September an occupancy of 57.06% is expected. Marbella foresees an occupation of 68.67%, for its part, Malaga foresees 67.70% . This is data well below the results obtained in 2019. As for the next month of October, the data worsens, since an occupation of the 42.38%. Marbella expect an occupation of the 62.94% and Malaga 53.96%.
The average occupancy rate expected in September and October is very different in areas focused on urban tourism with respect to the more specialized destinations in sun and beach, so that, in this circumstance, a progressive closure of establishments is already expected in the areas most affected by the drop in demand and mainly for the months after October.