Irish abandon tourist hotspot as waiters 'put heads in hands'

Irish Daily Mirror

10 hours ago

Visitor numbers are dwindling in Marbella as Irish holidaymakers are cutting back on lavish getaways, with tourists giving it a miss.
Marbella, nestled in the south of Spain, has long been ingrained in the minds of Irish tourists. Throughout the 20th century, this once quaint fishing village on the fringes of Malaga morphed into a bustling holiday hotspot.
Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg established the Marbella Club Hotel in 1954, putting the location on the map as a must-visit destination for Europe's crème de la crème. In more recent times, it's become synonymous with celebrity glitz and extravagance, with bronzed Instagrammers flocking there for Champagne spray parties.
While the destination continues to be a top pick for Irish tourists overall and Love Island contestants specifically, it appears that some have started to fall out of love with Marbs. And it's not just one holidaymaker who was barred from Towie star Elliott Wright's restaurant due to his footwear. Marbella, Spain. (Image: Gustavo Valiente)
Tourist numbers have taken a hit on the Costa del Sol this summer, marking the first dip since the pandemic began. The downward trend has been particularly noticeable in Marbella, where there was a 34% drop in Spanish tourists in June, according to figures from the National Statistics Institute (INE), reports the Mirror.
In July, 68,630 people visited the city, which is 8,201 fewer than in 2024.
The drop in visitors is wreaking havoc across Marbella's hospitality sector, with business owners left wondering how they'll survive financially.
"There are days when we feel like we're not holding our heads in our hands from so much work, and others when the restaurant is empty. It's as if people are more restrained when it comes to going out," Yolanda, a waitress at one of the downtown hospitality establishments, told Sur.
A retail worker in Marbella informed the publication that Spanish visitors to the resort have tightened their purse strings considerably. They attributed "how expensive accommodation has become" alongside inadequate public transport links between Málaga and Marbella - which are situated 40 miles apart along the coastline - for the 10% decline in tourist figures this summer.
Despite reduced visitor numbers, Marbella remains bustling with activity. Hotel occupancy has climbed to 80.08 per cent, with guests staying an average of 3.95 nights - the longest duration since 2016.
Laura De Arce, director of tourism for the City Council, remarked: "The city continues to attract a traveler profile that values excellence, exclusivity, and a differentiated offering. This not only translates into high occupancy rates but also into strong profitability, confirming Marbella's leadership in the premium tourism sector in the Mediterranean."
Earlier this week, Mirror readers voiced their opinions on Spain as a holiday spot and the concerns they had about visiting due to high-profile protests against overtourism.
"The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome," one man shared with us.
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