James Warren
THE president of the Association of Hotels on the Costa del Sol, José Luque announced yesterday that 43% of the hotels across the region have opened their doors to usher in the summer season.
The 43% joined the other hotels that began opening throughout May as the Costa del Sol hopes to entice holidaymakers in to rescue the 2021 season.
Luque explained that ‘all the five-star’ resorts are now open,’ with 50% of the four-star hotels now accepting tourists, with more expected in the next month.
Hotel owners are confident that the tourists will come, with many recording between 40% and 55% occupancy in the month of May, with some even boasting 65%.
These figures prove promising, with hotels such as the Amare Hotel in Marbella predicting 70% in June and 75% in July and August.
The difficulties of British tourists travelling to Spain has so far not phased the region, with arrivals from France, Netherlands and Norway accounting for 50% of early holidaymakers, with domestic tourists making up the rest.
Domestic tourism is also expected to make a return thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions within Spain.
The opening of the hotels has also had a positive impact on employment in the area, with an expected 66% of jobs to return to the sector.
“We hope to re-employ all of our 50 employees this summer depending on reservations, but so far we have 66% working for us for our opening.” said Tamara Cordero, director of the Melia Hotel Banus in Marbella.
The hotels have reopened as the Junta has announced that it is preparing a €78.2 million aid package for the Andalucian hospitality sector.
Hotels and holiday apartments are penciled in to receive €200 per bed, with a maximum of €200,000 per establishment as part of the rescue scheme.
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