A varied May holiday: more occupancy in tourist homes and less in hotels

The May 1st long weekend kicks off with mixed forecasts on the Costa del Sol. While tourist accommodations and rural offerings expect an increase in occupancy during these days, hotels report that they will be 4.5% below last year's levels. The Association of Hotel Entrepreneurs of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos) states that they expect to close this holiday with an 83.4% occupancy, although they specify that areas such as the capital of Malaga and Benalmádena will be around 90% occupancy. This employers' association is confident that last-minute bookings can match the figures from 2025.

However, the Association of Housing and Tourist Apartments of Andalusia (AVVAPRO) announces that the May bridge "consolidates Malaga as one of the strongest destinations at the start of the high season, with an average occupancy of 82.2%, compared to 77.5% recorded in the same period of 2025, which represents an increase of 4.7 points." They add that the average daily rate (ADR) remains stable at 134 euros, with a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to the previous year.

Regarding the most demanded destinations in the province, it points out that in Malaga city "the activity is expected to be especially intense during the first two days of the holiday. On May 1st, occupancy will reach 92%, with average rates of 143.3 euros, while on May 2nd, levels will be at 91%, at a price of 142.7 euros. From May 3rd, the pace softens. Occupancy in the capital drops to 75%, compared to 81% in 2025, and on May 4th it stands at 71%, above the 62% of last year, which points to a shorter average stay with a higher concentration of bookings in the early days."

This sector justifies this greater dynamism due to the holiday falling on a Friday, which, they consider, favors short breaks and concentrates much of the demand at the beginning of the holiday. They also assure that "the data from the May holiday confirm the strength of Malaga as a tourist destination and the adaptability of tourist accommodation in a complex scenario. The increase in occupancy, the containment of prices, and the greater weight of international demand demonstrate that the sector continues to respond with competitiveness, diversification, and attraction capacity in city, coast, and inland."

83%

Reservations

This is the average occupancy percentage expected in both hotels and tourist homes and rural houses this holiday.

In this regard, they focus on the tourism takeoff in the inland areas of the province, which they say become one of the main protagonists of the holiday with an occupancy of 83.5%. "La Axarquía and Antequera are above the previous year, driven mainly by international demand, particularly from the Dutch market, which represents 36%, and the British, with 13%. The interior of Malaga thus ceases to be a complement to become a product with its own entity, capable of attracting high-value markets interested in villa-type accommodations with a pool, natural surroundings, and experiences away from urban overcrowding," they specify.

Indeed, the interior of the province of Malaga leads the occupancy in Andalusia for this holiday, according to data from the Ruralidays platform, which indicates that 83% of rural houses are booked, highlighting the pull of those located in Torrox, Nerja, Frigiliana, Cómpeta, and Antequera, which will be the municipalities in the province with the highest demand. "The good weather forecast, combined with the coincidence of May 1st on a Friday, international circumstances, and school holidays in some European countries have led to occupancy rates that are well above those of the same period last year," explains Félix Zea, co-founder of Ruralidays, justifying the high demand in the mentioned municipalities because "they are mostly towns that combine the tranquility of a rural setting with proximity to the sea. For these dates, properties with a pool are the most demanded and priced."

For its part, the vacation rental sector points out Fuengirola and Benalmádena on the coast as the destinations with the highest occupancies. Specifically, 81%, while Mijas and Torrox are at 76%.

The hotel employers' association also confirms the international pull and assures that in the past month of April, three out of every four tourists accommodated came from abroad. Additionally, they advance the first estimates for the months of May and June. "For the next 60 days, figures similar to those thrown in this ending month are estimated. Specifically, an occupancy of 82.48% is expected in May and 83.55% in June, figures for now, lower than those registered during 2025, 86.06% and 88.14% respectively," they advance.

• More topics
• Rural tourism
• Andalusia
• Málaga
• Antequera
• Benalmádena
• Fuengirola
• Torrox
• Costa del Sol
• Tourist Homes