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New data indicates the flow of tourists to Spain’s Costa del Sol is making a steady recovery as travel restrictions are relaxed, with almost 6,000 new jobs created in the hospitality sector as a result.

 

According to the Hotel Situation Bulletin for the month of August, hotels in the province of Malaga welcomed 621,482 travellers, up 74.3% on the same month in 2020, with 56.6% more national guests, and 120.6% more international holidaymakers.

 

Travellers staying in tourist apartments rose by 40% in August with 135,579 guests, on campsites by 66% (44,000) and in rural accommodation, there was an increase of 27% with 25,466 overnight stays.

 

Specifically, 403,705 national and 218,137 foreigners visited Malaga province in one month alone, and 5,995 jobs were created in the hotelier sector as a result.

 

Not surprisingly, the arrival of holidaymakers at Malaga airport has also seen “a spectacular increase”, up 115% compared to the same month in 2020, with 354,164 more passengers, 149,711 of these Spanish and 288,663 foreign.

 

And to meet the demand, the supply of regulated tourist accommodation was increased in the province by almost 9% with a total of 49,514 establishments and 443,006 beds.

 

President of Costa del Sol Tourism, Francisco Salado, said the data is “very promising”, and shows that “we have incomparable tourist resources, an unbeatable offer and, together with our magnificent professionals, we will continue working to recover this sector that brings wealth and employment to the province”.

 

Malaga is in fourth place in terms of the volume of travellers nationally, behind the Balearic Islands, Girona and Barcelona and the sixth in terms of the number of overnight stays (more than 3,400,000), according to Costa del Sol Tourism.

 

However, the sector is expecting a massive boost over the next few weeks following the relaxation of UK travel rules which come into force on Monday, October 4.

 

Amber and green lists have been axed and replaced by two categories – a red list and ‘rest the world’, and fully-vaccinated arrivals in the UK from Spain will no longer need to isolate or take a pre-departure test before flying.

 

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