More tourists for Fuengirola

More tourists for Fuengirola

One of the Costa del Sol's most popular seaside towns, Fuengirola, is anticipating a bumper rise in tourists during 2008.

This optimism, voiced at the World Travel Market in London by councillor Jose Sanchez, who predicted a substantial rise in British visitors next year, was based on a 5 per cent increase in holidaymakers coming to the Costa during 2007.

Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos, are the top three destinations for number of overnight stays for this part of Spain. Figures obtained by the Costa del Sol tourist board from the airports' authority AENA, showed that the important months of July and August 2007 saw the numbers of Malaga airport arrivals from EU countries grow by more than six per cent and almost 10 per cent respectively on previous year.

Increasing pressure on accommodation at its Costa del Sol resorts' site has seen Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels (CLC) continuing its successful build programme to meet demand, with its most ambitious project: California Beach Hotel and Residences, due to take shape during 2008.

The CLC resorts, with over 800 apartments, lie just outside Fuengirola, spread across a gently inclining site, which provides excellent beach and sea views. During each of the peak summer weeks they are used by more than 3,000 guests.

Already demand for 2008 is high as members of Club La Costa take advantage of their benefits, giving greater choice of both accommodation type and location, by booking well in advance.

Its new California Beach Hotel and Residences will add a further 215 apartments in a luxury development that features one of Spain's largest spas, exciting water features, including an eight-metre high cascade, and a shopping and entertainment complex.

Investment in tourism in the Costa del Sol is evident everywhere. The expansion of Malaga international airport costing 1,100 million euros is part way complete. Its new terminal is scheduled to finish in September 2008 and will double the current passenger capacity. A new fast train linking Malaga with Spain's capital Madrid begins on 24th December almost halving journey time, and its coastal Cercanias train service is being extended.

Although the greatest cluster of CLC-owned resorts lie between Fuengirola and Marbella, Club La Costa has 22 resorts across Spain, Tenerife, Austria and UK, as well as a growing network of resorts partners across Europe's top destinations including Greece, Portugal and France.

More than 50,000 CLC members enjoy holidaying at these resorts as well as having a worldwide choice via its exchange partner. CLC is also at the forefront of bringing new products to the holiday ownership market and launched the Club La Costa Yacht Club in early 2007, enjoying a successful summer season sailing around Mallorca and cruising the Red Sea this winter.

About The Author Richard Fletcher has worked for Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels for the past fourteen years as Resorts Management Director, overseeing the running of 22 resorts in the UK, Spain, Austria and Tenerife. He worked in hotel management in England from 1966 until his arrival in Spain in 1984 and operated resorts in Tenerife, Mallorca, Portugal and Marbella prior to joining Club La Costa.