The marinas in Málaga extend their boom and secure 90% occupancy

The marinas in the province of Málaga have experienced one of the best years in their history in 2024, closing the year with an average occupancy rate of 75% throughout the year and over 90% during the high season months, occasionally reaching full capacity. Like the tourism sector in general, the marinas are enjoying a boom period due to the strength of the foreign sailors market (fully recovered from the pandemic) and the yacht charter segment, i.e., the rental of boats by clients and tourists for various leisure activities. For 2025, the initial expectations are also positive.

"2024 has been one of our best years. Like other tourism segments, the growth of the marina business and the demand for moorings in Andalusian marinas have normalized and increased again, favored by the positive performance of the tourism market," explains Manuel Raigón, president of the Marinas de Andalucía association (which includes most of the regionally managed and general interest marinas, both public and private).

The construction of the San Andrés sports marina will start in 2025

The British client, who had been more reserved a few years ago due to Brexit and the pandemic, is confirmed as the main foreign user of the marinas in Málaga (around 70%), followed by the French, Germans, and domestic clients. "The share of British clients remains significant. It is one of the most important markets for the Costa del Sol. And there is an increase in sailors from countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands. They seek nautical experiences and enjoy the facilities and services of Málaga," he points out.

The president of Marinas de Andalucía, Manuel Raigón. | L. O.

The rental market, key

The challenge for marinas during these years has been, on one hand, to retain those new domestic clients who, due to travel restrictions during the pandemic, tried nautical tourism and got hooked. On the other hand, the impression is that more and more people who do not own a boat are getting their navigation licenses and choosing rental for recreational or sports use.

"Many people continue to opt for renting boats instead of buying them. Renting allows enjoying sailing without the expenses and responsibilities associated with boat ownership. Additionally, boat rentals are highly demanded for recreational activities such as fishing, sightseeing, and water sports," he notes.

"Málaga has everything to be the first, it just needs to believe it"

In 2024, the boat rental market in Andalusia decreased by 15% compared to the previous year, but the sector still values its impact. "Despite this decrease, the interest in boat rentals remains strong," they point out at Marinas de Andalucía.

Moreover, the profile of these "new sailors" is of young people who even participate in regattas or fishing activities. A small boat can be rented from just over 200 euros a day for several people. The price range depends, of course, on each boat's features and size. In fact, there are boats whose daily rental costs several thousand euros. The berths for rental boats in the marinas are still a minority, but they are becoming increasingly significant.

The major challenge now focuses on the foreign market and consists of attracting the attention of boat rental companies operating in Croatia, Greece, and Turkey to draw nautical clients from these destinations to the Andalusian and Malaga coasts.

"Among our strategic objectives is international promotion. Thanks to collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía, through Turismo Andaluz, we have facilitated the joint promotion of Andalusian ports at international fairs, optimizing costs and reinforcing the 'Andalucía' brand as a nautical destination. These actions are crucial for rental companies operating with emerging clients in nautics to focus on our coast. Málaga alone has 160 kilometers of coastline," he recalls.

The marinas exceed 90% occupancy and confirm the rise of boat rentals

Capturing the Mediterranean

Raigón, also manager of the Marinas del Mediterráneo group, asserts that this commitment must be based on three pillars in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía: an improvement in the infrastructure and services of the destination; greater promotional presence of Málaga and Andalusia at nautical shows; and a commitment to digitalization that offers the client and any port visitor a better experience during their stay.

"Work is being done on all this, and I am satisfied and grateful for the acceptance and receptivity of the associated members and port administrations involved," he states. In 2024, Marinas de Andalucía also grew with the addition of the ports of Sotogrande in Cádiz, the IGY megayacht marina in the port of Málaga, and Marina Motril in Granada.

For 2025, the marinas hope to maintain the trend of this past year although Raigón acknowledges a moderation in the growth rate of the market. This trend, in his opinion, could become more pronounced in the short and medium term, in a scenario of weakening economy and uncertain geopolitical situation (conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza), which could also affect the nautical market.

"For now, it is also true that the Costa del Sol, given the current international circumstances, is receiving more sailors than at other times who would go to other markets," he details. Regarding promotional activities, Marinas de Andalucía will attend in 2025 the nautical shows in Palma de Mallorca, Southampton (United Kingdom), and La Rochelle (France).

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