Málaga, (EFE).- Hotel establishments on the Costa del Sol will close May with an average occupancy of 85.2%, which is 8.2 points higher than the average registered in the same month last year, according to forecasts from the employer Aehcos, which anticipates that in June more than 85% of the places will also be occupied.
The “impulse” of the bridge at the beginning of the month, the weather and the recovery of tourists from different European countries and the United Kingdom have led to this increase in occupancy in May.
The president of the business association, José Luque, said this Thursday in a statement that these figures show that the recovery in the sector is “consolidating”. Although he believes that you should not let your guard down. Because you have to “follow very closely the evolution of the data that the summer season leaves”.
Luque has highlighted the weight and importance of the presence of foreign tourism at this time of year. Since 75 percent of the travelers who have arrived in Malaga in May have been international.
On the other hand, he has shown his concern about the recession that the economists of the United States Federal Reserve predict starting in the fourth quarter of this year and early 2024.
interest rate rise
“The central bank of the United States leaves open the possibility of a new rise in interest rates for the month of June 2023. And this has always had its consequences in Europe,” he indicated.
From the analysis of occupancy in May, the Axarquía area stands out with an occupancy of establishments of 91.48%. In addition to the municipalities of Torremolinos (89.6%), Málaga capital (87.8%) and Mijas (85.9%).
In June, Aehcos expects occupancy to exceed 85%. This will mean an increase of four points compared to the same month last year. Torremolinos (92.6%), Mijas (88.7%), Benalmádena (87.9%) and Fuengirola (87.2%) will exceed this average.
Regarding the accumulated from January to May, the average occupancy stands at 73.08%. Therefore, it grows almost twelve points compared to the first five months of 2022 (61.29%).
Although the forecasts of employers for the summer season are optimistic. The executive committee of Aehcos points out that the profitability of the establishments must be “monitored carefully”. And the data of the average gross income per hosted client, since they will determine the evolution of the sector. EFE