Malaga hotels anticipate similar occupancy for Christmas and New Year as last year.

The Association of Hotel Entrepreneurs of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos) estimates that the hotel occupancy during the first holiday period (from December 20 to 25) will be 59.61%. This figure is similar to that of last year (from December 22 to 25), which had a hotel occupancy of 59.78%. As for the second period (from December 27 to January 1), an occupancy of 80% is expected compared to 80.86% last year (from December 29 to January 1, 2024).

"These figures, similar to those recorded in 2023, can be explained by various socio-economic factors. Christmas Eve is usually celebrated in a more family-oriented environment. In fact, only 23.3% of hotels plan to organize a dinner to celebrate the holiday prelude, compared to 53.3% that will offer New Year's Eve dinners to their guests," commented Aehcos president José Luque.

The head of the employers' association also highlighted the importance of international tourism in a month where historically the foreign segment represents between 60% and 75% of hotel occupancy. Nevertheless, the executive committee of Aehcos has made a call for national tourism during these holidays.

A hotel establishment on the Costa del Sol. / L. O.

Demand by areas

Geographically, for the first holiday period, the hotel employers' association highlights the occupancy forecast in Frigiliana-Torrox at 65%. Other destinations such as Fuengirola, with an occupancy of 59.47%, and Nerja with 56.35% follow.

Regarding the second part of the holiday period, including New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the demand in Málaga capital stands out with an occupancy over 84%, while Frigiliana-Torrox remains in a prominent position with an estimated 78% occupancy. Fuengirola and Nerja also continue with a projected occupancy of 77.72% and 76.46% respectively.