Marbella’s Hotel Industry Leaders Gather for ‘Great Hotel Debate’
Marbella’s top hotel industry professionals convened at Les Roches on Thursday for the town’s ‘Great Hotel Debate’. The meeting, scheduled after the high season, was aimed at discussing future strategies and reviewing summer data. A key issue that dominated the discussion was the scarcity of affordable housing for staff during peak months.
High Rental Costs a Barrier to Attracting Staff
José Luque, president of the industry body Aehcos on the Costa del Sol, highlighted the need for cheaper rental housing in Marbella to attract people. He pointed out that not only are the prices high, with a one-bedroom apartment costing 600 euros, but also the availability of such housing is scarce.
Hotel Industry Leaders Discuss Challenges and Solutions
The roundtable included Rocío Galán, director of operations at Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá, Jorge Manzur, director of Antara, Julián Cabanillas, general manager of Marbella Club, and Ignacio Gómez-Escolar, general manager of Hard Rock Hotel Marbella. Also present were Laura de Arce, director of tourism at Marbella town hall, and Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches.
Lack of Affordable Housing Affects Talent Acquisition
The shortage of affordable apartments not only hampers the recruitment of employees but also affects the ability to attract necessary talent that is not available locally. Cabanillas noted that many qualified individuals from other parts of Spain would be willing to relocate to the Costa del Sol if not for the housing issue.
Concerns Over Lowering Service Standards
Hoteliers expressed concerns about the possibility of having to compromise on their standards and hire less qualified individuals, which could potentially lead to a decline in service quality. As a result, many large hotels are choosing to train their own staff while advocating for a solution to the rental issue.
Transport and Water Infrastructure Issues
Transportation is another significant problem affecting the Costa del Sol. The lack of reliable connections makes it difficult for workers from other towns to commute. The forum also highlighted concerns about water scarcity, with hoteliers already implementing measures to mitigate the issue and awaiting the development of water infrastructures.
Beach Deterioration a Growing Concern
The deterioration of beaches was another topic of concern that could potentially impact the sector. Despite these challenges, the speakers also discussed positive developments, such as the market’s recovery since the Covid pandemic.
Expectations of Moderate Growth in 2025
The professionals anticipate further growth by 2025, albeit at a slower pace due to record-breaking performances in 2022. Del Arce noted that the town has seen over six consecutive months of occupancy rates above 80 percent, indicating successful efforts to overcome the seasonal nature of tourism on the Costa del Sol.
