British tourists still flocking to Spain’s Malaga as first quarter of 2019 shows almost 10% increase in hotel stays

THE Brits are still flocking to Malaga despite the ongoing Brexit uncertainty, new stats have revealed. 

According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the first quarter of 2019 saw a 8% year-on-year increase in the number of British hotel stays in the city. 

Some 39,632 Brits visited the capital of the Costa del Sol in the first three months of the year, generating 90,455 overnight stays at hotels. 

According to Malaga’s tourism department, the Brits remain the biggest foreign group visiting the growing destination. 

Tourism councillor Maria del Mar Martín Rojo has announced the local government is already planning a much bigger presence at London’s next World Travel Market exhibition after learning of the results. 

“It is expected that the Malaga stand will be expanded at this year’s fair in November, reaching an area of ??24.5 square meters, in order to improve the location and allow for more companies to attend,” she said.

“The WTM is one of the most important events for the tourism industry worldwide…an unmissable event and the main showcase of Malaga to the British market, which is the number one source of international tourists for the city.

“Our bigger presence is a must in the context of uncertainty marked by Brexit.”