The Costa del Sol is entering its busiest time of year, but travel habits are shifting. While July and August are still important, more visitors are now coming before and after these months. This change is helping to stretch the traditional summer season.
This year, there are 60,000 more places to stay than last year, mostly in holiday rentals. Even with more options and a small drop in average rental prices (down 1.4%), fewer bookings are expected in July for this sector.
Malaga city is showing stronger results than the rest of the region. Prices there are up by 9.3%, and bookings are increasing. Occupancy is expected to reach nearly 60%, which is 7.1% higher than last year.
The beginning of July has been slower than usual, with many travelers waiting to book. Experts say this may be due to global issues like economic worries, political tensions, and extreme weather in countries such as the UK and Germany, leading some people to stay home or delay plans.
A recent report from hotel association Aehcos predicts hotel occupancy in July will be around 80%, down from 86.66% last year. June, on the other hand, ended strongly, with over 87% of rooms filled.
Other key figures have also dipped slightly. The average daily price of a hotel room is now €284, down from €288. Occupancy has fallen to 53.9% from 55.6%, and the average stay has shortened from 7.3 to 6.9 nights. Revenue per available room has dropped by 6.4%.
Despite these challenges, local tourism leaders remain positive. Malaga is still seen as a safe and appealing place to visit, and last-minute bookings are expected to boost numbers.
Looking ahead, the region continues to enjoy strong demand. Some areas, especially city rentals, are seeing higher spending and longer stays. The overall trend points to a longer and more stable summer season, with steady growth in both jobs and income from tourism.
