Marbella Golf Course Sees Increase in Tourist Numbers in September
A golf course in Marbella experienced an increase in hotel tourists (5.71%) and overnight stays (17.39%) in September, the month when the Solheim Cup was held on the Costa del Sol. However, these figures are still far from those of 2019, before the pandemic. There was a slight improvement in occupancy and average stay, but there was a decrease in staff employed.
Hotel Occupancy Survey Reveals Positive Trends
The Hotel Occupancy Survey (EOH) for the month of September was made public on Monday, revealing data that continues the high summer season trend. In the case of Marbella, the numbers are positive with an increase in tourists and overnight stays compared to the same month of the previous year, as well as in occupancy and average stay. Overall, the situation can be considered good, as it is better than in 2022, but it is still below the pre-pandemic data.
Impact of the Solheim Cup on Tourism
The celebration of the Solheim Cup women’s golf in Casares, from the 18th to the 24th, may have influenced the improvement in the figures from the previous year, but it did not provide the expected boost. Once again, official information contradicts the propaganda of the mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, and questions the profitability of the 1.8 million contributed by the City Council.
Marbella’s Tourist Numbers in Detail
According to the INE, Marbella received 79,839 visitors who stayed in hotels in September, which is 4,313 more than last year (+5.71%). However, this figure is still far from the pre-pandemic numbers, with 87,845 in 2019 and a record 92,272 tourists in 2018. The arrival of foreigners (60,686) increased slightly compared to 2022 (58,472), as did the number of nationals (19,153) compared to a year ago (17,054).
Overnight Stays and Other Data
In September, there were 301,412 overnight stays in Marbella, which is 44,652 more hotel nights than the previous year, with a significant growth of 17.39%. However, this figure is far from the record set in 2015 with 343,983 stays and also below 2019, the last year before COVID-19 (321,354). Other data shows that room occupancy was 76%, higher than last year (72.38%), but far from the 2016 record (82.37%). In September, according to the INE, 90 establishments were open, 8 more than in the same month of 2022. The average stay increased to 3.78 days, compared to 3.40 last year. The record is 4.54 days in 2015.
Revenue and Employment Figures
The revenue per available room (RevPar) in September was 156.57 euros, more than last year (147.64). The average price of a room in Marbella’s establishments was 213.71 euros, also higher than in 2022 (209.10 euros). As for the staff employed by the hotels, according to the INE, there were 3,911 workers, fewer than the 4,376 in 2022.
