Latest news with #MalagaCityCouncil
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Spanish region named 'mini Britain' home to more Brits than Bath and Chester
This Andalusian village is considered a "mini-Britain". But while Brits have long lived in harmony with locals in the area, the country's housing crisis is taking a toll While crackdowns on properties escalate across Spain, thousands of UK expats continue to call this Andalusian town home. The Brits that settle in this area have been lauded for their contributions to the local economy but their high purchasing power has been the source of some friction. The small mountain village of Albanchez has been home to couples like Clare Shirley and her husband for over two decades, as reported by The Express. The couple told the publication they had 'no problems with integration' when they arrived in the region. Shirley and her husband are among the more than 92,000 Britons that moved to Andalusia, turning the region into a "mini Britain' which houses more Brits than Bath and Chester. Andalusia in southern Spain has long been a holiday hotspot for Brits, with popular destinations including Seville, Malaga, and the resort haven of the Costa del Sol. Albanchez sits in the south of the province, between olive groves and gentle hills. The village belongs to the Sierra Magina Natural Park, known for its scenic and diverse landscapes. Albanchez is a semi-desert town, a landscape that will look familiar to anyone that's seen Clint Eastwood 's famous western The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (which was filmed not too far away). The quiet town is immediately identifiable by its white-washed houses, which stand out in the shade of the surrounding hills. It is also home to a few key architectural landmarks, including the Albanchez de Magina Castle which stands above the town on the first crag in Sierra de los Castillejos Mountains. The castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century and was declared a site of Cultural Interest in 1985. Another architectural gem is the Torre del Reloj: the 19th-century square tower in the village that was built in 1883. The nearby Canava Pine Wood - comprising Aleppo pines - also adds to the picturesque and tranquil atmosphere that has drawn so many UK citizens to settle in the area. While Brits like Shirley have enjoyed a relatively peaceful life in Albanchez and been embraced by locals, Andalusians are not immune from the country's housing crisis. The issue of rising housing costs - due in part to foreigners relocating to Spain - has been a growing sore spot. 'Total ban' of property sales to non-Spanish residents This past April, mass demonstrations overtook 42 cities across Spain as protestors sought to spotlight the housing shortage and soaring rental prices. Following the protests, the Malaga City Council reportedly cancelled plans to build 1,300 tourist homes in the city. The new Malaga city strategy will reportedly veer away from property sales to non-Spaniards, considering a 'total ban' altogether. Malaga City Council has already worked to curb the construction and acquisition of tourist housing after growing animosity from locals in recent years. But after the most recent protest and the projected plans for a summer of tourist disruption, Malaga's mayor Francisco de la Torre said 'a global moratorium' is under consideration.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Little known offensive word Spanish use to describe British tourists
There is a specific term used to describe Brits abroad who take part in typically-loutish behaviour while on holiday in Spain, like excessive drinking Spaniards have reportedly coined a term to alert each other of the presence of British holidaymakers. Many Brits cherish the chance to jet off to various global destinations for a holiday, with Spain often topping the list as an ideal getaway from the UK's gloomy weather. The British are no strangers to the Spanish shores, famously flocking to places like the renowned Benidorm strip. According to a new index from online holiday provider, Travel Republic, British tourists accounted for 45% of overnight stays in Benidorm alone in 2024, totalling over 600,000 visitors. Benidorm has also been named the second-best holiday destination for a pub experience, home to 32 British pubs, the majority of which stream live sports daily. But the love affair with Spain may in fact be largely one-sided, according to recent developments. British tourists sometimes find themselves in hot water when travelling to or within Spain, and they're not exactly celebrated for their exemplary behaviour, leading locals to adopt a specific term to refer to Brits who exhibit troublesome characteristics. Earlier this year, The Sun disclosed that the term in question is "guiri", pronounced "guee-ree". It's understood to originate from the Basque language, meaning "blonde" or "fair-skinned", and refers to the physical traits of many tourists. Brits are not automatically labelled as such, but those who engage in poor conduct while on holiday could earn the moniker. Behaviours that might earn someone the "guiri" tag include excessive drinking, loud chanting, and other forms of rowdy conduct. Being labelled a "guiri" may cause offense to a few travellers, but it's a term used for all tourists according to some. You won't be run out of town for being one, but locals may poke fun at you for doing stereotypical "guiri" behaviours such as sipping sangria all day or only eating pizza, chips, and toasties. The best way to avoid the "guiri" tag is to immerse yourself in the local culture and making an effort to learn and speak the language. That said, tensions have been rising between Spaniards and British tourists in recent years due to consequences of overtourism. The mass demonstrations overtook 42 cities across Spain in April 2025 as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Spain to spotlight the housing shortage and soaring rental prices that has been exacerbated by overtourism. The clear and defiant message resonated with the Malaga City Council, which subsequently cancelled plans to build 1,300 tourist homes in the city. The new city strategy will veer away from property sales to non-Spaniards, considering a 'total ban' altogether.
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful Spanish seaside town named best place for expats to live
A city in the Costa del Sol has been named the top destination for expats considering a move to Spain, highlighting its easy-going lifestyle and excellent weather A new ranking has named this seaside town the best place for expats to settle down in Spain. Beating out cities like Barcelona and Madrid, this destination topped Nomad Capitalist's ranking thanks to its convenient access to the sea and the 'relaxed lifestyle' of residents. Malaga sits in the heart of Spain's popular Costa del Sol, which has been a hub for holidaying Brits for years. The beaches are the biggest draw of the region, with miles and miles of sandy shores - many of which are dog-friendly - and pristine waters. The city centre of Malaga is "lively and a cultural hub" according to Nomad Capitalist, but the if you're looking for something a bit quieter, the villages east of the capital might be a better fit. Villages in the province of Malaga like Frigiliana are tranquil and filled with whitewashed houses in the classic Andalusian style. The weather and superior transport in Malaga compared to other Spanish destinations are other factors that contributed to its top ranking. Though Malaga did experience a freak hail storm this past March, the result of Storm Martinho. While the merits of Malaga are certainly bountiful, it's important to note that housing shortages and the impacts of over-tourism have caused tensions to grow between locals, foreigners and city councillors. In April 2025, mass demonstrations overtook 42 cities across Spain including Malaga to draw attention to soaring rental prices and housing shortages. The clear and defiant message seems to have resonated with the Malaga City Council, which reportedly cancelled plans to build 1,300 tourist homes in the city. The new city strategy will veer away from property sales to non-Spaniards, considering a ' total ban ' altogether. Malaga City Council has already worked to introduce new measures to curb the construction and acquisition of tourist housing after growing animosity from locals in recent years. But after recent protests and the projected plans for a summer of tourist disruption, Mayor De La Torre said 'a global moratorium' is under consideration. Despite the growing tensions, Malaga remains one of Spain's top tourist destinations, attracting around 14 million visitors last year. And while it tops Nomad Capital's list of the best expat destinations in Spain, they emphasise that there is no one single Spanish city ideal for all expats. While Malaga may be best for sunbathers, Barcelona is ideal for foodies and Granada has proved to be an excellent based for winter sports enthusiasts. You can find the full ranking of the Top 11 Spanish expat destinations below. The top 11 Spanish destinations for expats Malaga Sotogrande Madrid Barcelona Seville Valencia San Sebastian Granada Bilbao Ibiza Zaragoza
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wolters Kluwer, Malaga Council team up for vocational tech training
Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting España has collaborated with Malaga City Council in Spain to boost technological training for vocational students. This initiative aims to enhance students' professional skills and employability in an increasingly digital business landscape. Under the agreement, 17 vocational training centres in Malaga will integrate Wolters Kluwer's administrative and financial tools into their administration and finance programmes. This move will allow students to acquire practical skills in taxation, accounting, labour, and invoicing using advanced technological tools. Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Europe Region South vice-president and general manager Tomàs Font said: 'As a global provider of technology tools tailored to business needs, we want to make a difference in the communities in which we operate. 'Training teachers in the knowledge of Wolters Kluwer's solutions so that they can improve their students' professional skills and thus help them in their incorporation into the working world is one more way for us to contribute to economic and business development.' The collaboration, involving Wolters Kluwer Premium Partner a3Satel, will introduce a3innuva, an online suite that includes a3innuva Accounting, a3innuva Payroll, and a3innuva ERP. City of Malaga Councilor Delegate for education and employment promotion María Paz Flores said: 'This agreement with Wolters Kluwer allows vocational training students to acquire key digital skills in an increasingly technology-oriented environment, thus improving their job opportunities and their adaptation to the needs of the market.' In January 2025, Wolters Kluwer Tax and Accounting released the "Future Ready Accountant" study, providing a global analysis of the tax and accounting industry. The report, with insights from more than 2,300 global participants, highlights the impact of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the growing trend of advisory services on the profession. It outlines the challenges and technological advancements that are shaping the future of the accountancy sector. "Wolters Kluwer, Malaga Council team up for vocational tech training" was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
