Hotels on the Costa del Sol expect lower occupancy in August

Hoteliers are anticipating a less busy August compared to last year. Specifically, a survey conducted by the Hotel Business Association of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos) suggests they expect to fill 88.3% of the rooms, which is 4.5 points less than last year when the peak vacation month saw a 93% occupancy rate.

This association also reports a "slight increase" in domestic tourism compared to July. A market that has been showing negative figures since last year. Aehcos notes an expected rise from 30% of Spanish tourists to 40% this August, with the remaining 60% being foreigners.

The preferred destinations for travelers who are already packing their bags for a vacation on the Costa del Sol are Benalmádena, Torremolinos, and Fuengirola, where hotel establishments anticipate filling 92.6%, 92.2%, and 91.3% of their rooms, respectively. Additionally, they point out that in Marbella and Benahavís, an occupancy rate above 87% is expected.

86.9%

This is the occupancy rate Aehcos anticipates for September, 1.7% less than in 2024.

Aehcos also reviews July and improves the initial forecasts by reaching an 87.8% occupancy rate, which is 1.16 points higher than the same period in 2024 and 1.23 points above the estimate set at the beginning of the month, which was pegged at 86.59%. "The results for July slightly exceed those anticipated at the beginning of the month, although it is important to focus on the decrease in the average gross impact per client compared to a year ago, which has dropped by more than 40 euros per person staying," explains José Luque, president of Aehcos. He also warns of the need to be "vigilant" by linking this decrease with the expected decline for August and the overall drop in demand from the national market.

The outlook for September does not improve. They predict a further decline compared to the same month in 2024. Specifically, compared to the 88.74% occupancy recorded last year, next September is expected to fill 86.96% of the rooms, which is 1.78 points less. "Only Benalmádena and Torremolinos would surpass 90% occupancy, and the capital would take third place, with an estimated occupancy of 86.14%," they specify.