The use of the swimming pools in Torremolinos amongst foreign athletes leave 700.000 euros

More than 400 swimmers from 37 teams will be using these facilities this month of April

The municipal pools in Torremolinos, situated in the local sports centre, have become yet another touristic attraction, as many foreign athlete teams make use of them for their training. In fact, the economic impact of the use of these pools during this month of April surpasses the amount of 700.000 euros.

To be exact, this month, these facilities will host more than 400 athletes that come from 37 foreign teams that use these pools for training and preparation for different championships. The National Institute of Statistics (NIS) quantifies this economic repercussion in an average income per person, per day of 86 euros, which means more than 700.000 euros of income.

Countries like France, England, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Holland and Canada are the ones that contribute with the most groups of athletes this month. A lot of the athletes are preparing for their next venue, the London Olympics in the United Kingdom, according to a press note published by the town hall.

This way, although the duration of these concentrations vary in each case, the majority of these groups, normally formed by between 15 and 25 people, stay between seven and 14 days, although many remain for longer, like the case of the Finnish Swim Club ‘Jyvasakyla Sprinters’, that stayed for 29 days. The majority of the foreign athletes choose to stay in 3-star and 4-star hotels.

These swimming teams and other teams of other specialities that also choose the Torremolinos Sports Centre make “an extraordinary contribution to the municipality’s economic development and become valuable ambassadors of Torremolinos’ virtues for other groups of athletes of their respective countries”.

Furthermore, they are destiny prescribers for tourists in general, many of them family members or friends of these athletes, “that discover, through them, the excellences of the municipality as a tourist destination”.

Lastly, amongst other swimmers of international elite, Canada’s whole synchronised swimming team will be visiting Torremolinos and these facilities, as they have scheduled a ten-day stay in the municipality at the end of this month.

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• Torremolinos, the sixth most visited city by Spanish tourists (malagaweb.wordpress.com)

Torremolinos, the sixth most visited city by Spanish tourists

Benidorm

Madrid was the most visited city by the Spanish tourists in 2011, closely followed by Barcelona and Valencia.

This study reflects that Andalusia is also one of the most attractive regions for the Spanish, as both Seville and Granada complete the ‘Top 5’ of the most visited cities.

Torremolinos, in Malaga, has risen to sixth place while Cordoba maintains unalterable in ninth. Marbella, on the other hand, climbed one position, up to eleventh and others like Malaga, Jerez de la Frontera and Almeria sat in 14th, 19th and 20th, respectively.

Levante also appears as one of the clear favourites for the Spanish to spend their holidays, where Benidorm, apart from having increased its hotel prices by 6%, also increased its popularity, rising from 14th right up to eighth. Alicante, on the other hand, descended to tenth, two positions less than in 2010.

Out of Spain, the city of New York was chosen to occupy first place, followed by London and Paris to complete the podium, although the European capital cities are still a great alternative with Rome, Berlin or Brussels amongst the top ten cities.

Regarding the preferences of foreign tourists, Barcelona occupy the first position, partially due to the cruise industry’s boom, which is why Madrid remains in second place and Seville in third.

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• The sun and sea tourism deals better with the crisis (malagaweb.wordpress.com)

The sun and sea tourism deals better with the crisis

Former train station of Fuengirola, currently converted into a tourism information office. Fuengirola, Spain. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The traditional holiday destinations, with Benalmadena in the head group, have firmly resisted the downfall of the crisis during these last three years. According to a brief presented yesterday by Exceltur, the most touristic points of the country, linked to the offer of sun and sea, have not only not decreased during this period, but they managed to close last year with an overall balance of growth, in both profitability and employment.

This brief, that analyses the evolution of the 105 top-quality municipalities in the industry, highlights the behaviour of Benalmadena, that increased its hotel occupation, between 2008 and 2011, in 2.3 points -between 73.2% and 75.5%- and in 11.6 points the income received per room, which means 5.6% more than in the average of the best areas of the coast.

The excellent result of Benalmadena, that is experiencing the eighth most steepest increase in the country, only behind destinations like Ibiza and Roses, stands out above other consolidated places like the Costa del Sol. Marbella, for example, settled the past three-year period with an increase of 0.3% in the profitability indicator, a figure way under average, but well compensated by the increase in the occupation chapter, of 3.4 points.

The descent of Fuengirola. The efficiency of the touristic aristocracy on the coast does not extend all over the territory, not even in the province, where the research detects downfalls. In the case of Torremolinos, with a 3.3% descent of income per room and, most of all, Fuengirola, that Exceltur has added to the rest of “looser” destinations, with a 10.3% descent in profitability and a loss of 4.6 points in general occupation.

The slump of these last aforementioned municipalities is mainly due, according to the breif, to the stagnation of their facilities, the town-planning congestion and the deliberate bet on a massive demand of a less spending capacity, that has been affected by the irruption of the crisis. In general terms, the strength shown by the destinations on the coast, in comparison to the urban ones, a lot more prim in their growth, considerably obeys the industry’s movements over the past few years, characterised by the monetary ups and downs and the recycling of the tourists that come from other latitudes. In this sense, Exceltur mentions the entrance of travellers as a result of the politic instability of the Mediterranean Arabic destinations. It also refers to the moderation of the offer as the core of the increase of income per room.

Malaga’s rise of 2011. Despite the predominance of the holiday destinations, the city tourism accumulates a balance that, in some cases, like Santander and Barcelona, leaves a positive mark. Malaga registers an accumulated descent of 7.4% in the rate per room and of 0.9 points regarding hotel occupation. In the last year, however, the destination has dishevelled up to the point of reaching a spectacular increase, 8.2% in income and 2.8% in employment. The highest increase in the whole country, together with Barcelona. Exceltur links the increase to the proximity of the places with demand of sun and sea and to the strength of the tourism of cruises; after all, Malaga has the advantage of not having to depend exclusively on the affluence of the national public, that has been rather more timid this year as a result of the country’s economic weakness.

The balance of 2011, included in the research, also reflects Benalmadena’s rise, once again, that over the last twelve months increased the profitability of its rooms by 17.7 points, with 2.2% more employment. It also refers to Fuengirola, on the other hand, that concludes the list of the country’s holiday destinations with a decline of 4.8 and 3.4%, respectively.

Exceltur’s barometer insists that the destinations with the best results over the last few years have been the ones who decided to renew part of their offer.

Costa del Sol sun and sea tourism deals better with the crisis

Exceltur Meeting

Benalmadena increases its income by 11%, according to Exceltur. Fuengirola, amongst those that are most descending

The traditional holiday destinations, with Benalmadena in the head group, have firmly resisted the downfall of the crisis during these last three years. According to a brief presented yesterday by Exceltur, the most touristic points of the country, linked to the offer of sun and sea, have not only not decreased during this period, but they managed to close last year with an overall balance of growth, in both profitability and employment.

This brief, that analyses the evolution of the 105 top-quality municipalities in the industry, highlights the behaviour of Benalmadena, that increased its hotel occupation, between 2008 and 2011, in 2.3 points -between 73.2% and 75.5%- and in 11.6 points the income received per room, which means 5.6% more than in the average of the best areas of the coast.

The excellent result of Benalmadena, that is experiencing the eighth most steepest increase in the country, only behind destinations like Ibiza and Roses, stands out above other consolidated places like the Costa del Sol. Marbella, for example, settled the past three-year period with an increase of 0.3% in the profitability indicator, a figure way under average, but well compensated by the increase in the occupation chapter, of 3.4 points.

The descent of Fuengirola. The efficiency of the touristic aristocracy on the coast does not extend all over the territory, not even in the province, where the research detects downfalls. In the case of Torremolinos, with a 3.3% descent of income per room and, most of all, Fuengirola, that Exceltur has added to the rest of “looser” destinations, with a 10.3% descent in profitability and a loss of 4.6 points in general occupation.

The slump of these last aforementioned municipalities is mainly due, according to the breif, to the stagnation of their facilities, the town-planning congestion and the deliberate bet on a massive demand of a less spending capacity, that has been affected by the irruption of the crisis. In general terms, the strength shown by the destinations on the coast, in comparison to the urban ones, a lot more prim in their growth, considerably obeys the industry’s movements over the past few years, characterised by the monetary ups and downs and the recycling of the tourists that come from other latitudes. In this sense, Exceltur mentions the entrance of travellers as a result of the politic instability of the Mediterranean Arabic destinations. It also refers to the moderation of the offer as the core of the increase of income per room.

Malaga’s rise of 2011. Despite the predominance of the holiday destinations, the city tourism accumulates a balance that, in some cases, like Santander and Barcelona, leaves a positive mark. Malaga registers an accumulated descent of 7.4% in the rate per room and of 0.9 points regarding hotel occupation. In the last year, however, the destination has dishevelled up to the point of reaching a spectacular increase, 8.2% in income and 2.8% in employment. The highest increase in the whole country, together with Barcelona. Exceltur links the increase to the proximity of the places with demand of sun and sea and to the strength of the tourism of cruises; after all, Malaga has the advantage of not having to depend exclusively on the affluence of the national public, that has been rather more timid this year as a result of the country’s economic weakness.

The balance of 2011, included in the research, also reflects Benalmadena’s rise, once again, that over the last twelve months increased the profitability of its rooms by 17.7 points, with 2.2% more employment. It also refers to Fuengirola, on the other hand, that concludes the list of the country’s holiday destinations with a decline of 4.8 and 3.4%, respectively.

Exceltur’s barometer insists that the destinations with the best results over the last few years have been the ones who decided to renew part of their offer.

Around 20 agents will travel throughout Andalusia to reinforce the destination’s commercialisation in the German market

Image via Wikipedia

Around 20 German travel agents will be participating in a familiarisation trip from the 25th to the 27th of November, with the collaboration of the Tourism, Trade and Sport Ministry, that will allow th

em to improve their knowledge on Andalusia and reinforce the commercialisation of the destination in this market.

These German professionals work with the operator Dertour, considered the most veteran of the German market, moving approximately 4.000 passengers each year during the winter and spring in its division of groups and around 30.000 clients towards Andalusia in its holiday division, according to a statement by the Andalusian administration.

Dertour provide the whole set of Andalusian offers in their catalogues, both coastal and interior, as well as products directly related to the ‘Sun & Sea’ sector, circuits around Andalusia or packages that include the flight plus a car hire to move independently around the destination.

The group of agents will arrive at Malaga airport on the following 25th of November and during their stay in Malaga province they will be visiting Torremolinos. The next day they will be heading towards Cadiz to visit towns such as Conil de la Frontera, Tarifa, Bolonia and Jerez de la frontera.

This reverse action throughout Andalusia will end on the 27th of November with a route around Seville, where they will visit the main tourist attractions of the city like the Royal Alcazar for example, amongst others, and will be then returning to Malaga for a final tour around the Costa del Sol’s capital.

The German market is the second international issuer for Andalusia as a destination, with 611.429 visitors booked into Andalusian hotels between January and September 2011, which means an increase of 4.9% compared to the same period last year.

The tourists coming from this market made a total of 3.019.868 overnight hotel stays during the first nine months of the year, with an increase of 4.8% and have stayed in the destination for an average of 4.94 days.

Nine films will be competing in the 2nd Costa del Sol Gay Film Festival

Image via Wikipedia

Nine homosexual theme films go head to head this year to win the Golden Carnation and the Silver Carnation for the “Best Film” of this theme in the second edition of the Costa del Sol Gay Film Festival that will take place in Torremolinos from the 14th to the 16th of October.

In the second year of this event, some of the films that will be showing will be the Argentinian “Ausente” (absent), two from the Basque Country “80 Egunean” and “Ander”, the Peruvian “Contracorriente” (countercurrent), the North American “Los chicos están bien” (The kids are alright), “Madre Amadísima” (Very Loved Mother), produced in Andalusia, the German “Sasha”, and two more Spanish “Habitación en Roma” (Bedroom in Rome) and “Gayxample. The Movie.”

The director of TV series like “Los Protegidos” (The Protégés) or “Física o Química” (Physics or Chemistry), Javier Quintas, will be the president of the judges, who will be made up of the following members: Antonio Hens, the director of the TV series “Arrayán”, the actor Javier Calvo, the actor’s agent Mayte Ortega and the journalist specialised in cinema, Manuel Bellido.

According to a press release from the organization, over the three days of the event, the audience will be able to observe, in depth, the way of thinking and lifestyle of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transexual community, and discover what they have to face and go through every day.

The festival will be attended by the directors and actors of the competing films, like the Argentinian Marco Berger, the winner of the Teddy for the “Best LGTB Film” in the Berlinale 2011; and the Italian director of “Gayxample. The Movie.”, Giuseppe Storelli.

The Spanish singer Isabel Pantoja and the actor Liberto Rabal will be the honoray godparents of the contest, that will take place in the Sala Ronda of the Torremolinos Conference and Exhibition Centre, within the Expogays fair.

Further information:

http://www.malagaweb.com/blog/activities-322.html

Wi-Fi in the sun: Malaga Beaches will have free WI-FI from Easter

Free WIFI

Until now, the privileged ones who had a next-generation phone and a contract with a telephone company were always the first to upload photos of their holidays and experiences in social networks.

From Easter, everyone who wishes to be as fast as them can do so, as the main beaches of the Costa del Sol will have free WI-FI from next week onwards. The first beaches in offering this service will be La Malagueta in Malaga and La Carihuela and El Bajondillo in Torremolinos. WI-FI zones are located next to the Beach Bars and hammock areas, thus from now on you can enjoy a nice sea breeze next to your cool drink, meanwhile you update your latest sunny experiences live from the Costa del Sol.

Wifi should be free everywhere…what do you think?

The largest Butterfly Park of Europe, in Benalmadena

Do you like butterflies? Would you like to visit the largest facility devoted to butterflies in Europe? When you are spending your holidays in Benalmadena or other close by resorts of the Costa del Sol, such as Torremolinos or Fuengirola, you are very close to enjoy a wonderful experience for the whole family in the recently opened Butterfly Park.

In the Mariposario Benalmadena there are over 150 different species of butterflies, most of them originating in tropical areas. An area of over 2,000 square meters includes a glass walled tropical garden of more than 900 square meters and 8 meters height and almost 2,000 butterflies from all around the world.

Visitors can view thousands of butterflies in their natural habitat, flying around the audience. To provide the facilities with a greater authenticity, have been used decorative elements of Thailand, with an aesthetic inspired by the harmony of the classical Tibetan Temple located just a few meters away.

The facilities are located in Retamar, Benalmadena, with great views over the mediterranean coast.

Related information:

http://www.malagaweb.com/blog/costa-del-sol/activities-244/ (malagaweb.com)

Easter holidays in Benalmadena

Image by Terry Wha via Flickr

Soon will come the Easter holidays, and with it a few days to rest from the stress caused especially in large cities. Ideally, our holidays are accompanied by good weather and our moments of rest will allow us to enjoy the wonderful places that southern Spain offers.

Perhaps due to the charm of its people and the pleasant temperature, the Costa del Sol is one of the places that tourists like to travel. The region has a special charm. It’s time to get ready for a trip that will make you get rid of all the fatigue and makes you getting back into the routine after the holidays, with the batteries recharged.

One of the most touristic places of the Costa del Sol is Benalmadena, a coastal town of Malaga, which is not surprising taking into account that this municipality enjoys an average temperature of 18º C (64º F) throughout the year. In addition, it beaches create a great tourist attraction. This site is divided into three towns: Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Costa.

This location is a good destination for a few days to relax enjoying good company and the mild climate. In all the better hotels are normally available Spas providing treatments for health and relaxation, helping you to free yourself from stress.

Leisure and entertainment in Benalmadena

Benalmadena has a large number of facilities regarding sports, leisure and culture. It also has many archaeological sites and monuments. In this mediterranean city is located one of the largest marinas of the Costa del Sol. In the award-winning Puerto Marina is also available a wide range of marine-related recreation (diving, fishing etc.), plus shops and restaurants. Another of the most widely practiced sports in Benalmadena is Golf.

In Benalmadena you will find a wide selection of apartments and hotels. Other attractions are the Tivoli World amusement park, Selwo Marina and Sealife Benalmadena. Furthermore you can enjoy a cable car tour to Mount Calamorro with fantastic views over the Mediterranean Sea.

In Benalmadena you can see furthermore the largest Tibetan Stupa in the west and just next to it, the recently opened Butterfly Park, the largest of its kind in Europe. As you can see, in this popular resort town is available a large leisure offer for the whole family and all ages, apart from the traditional sun and beach offer.

This town is well connected, situated just twenty minutes from Malaga airport and adjacent to the towns of Fuengirola and Torremolinos, other resorts that have great tourism demand. Take advantage of your days off and get to know Benalmadena.

Paranormal route tour in Malaga along the Costa del Sol

Image by @ LaRsNoW @ via Flickr

Ghosts, haunted houses, strange noises or somewhat peculiar religious events are part of popular culture of Malaga and therefore the Tourist Board of the Costa del Sol offers since six months a different proposal to conventional tourism, which allows all visitors to experience and travel throughout the province along what you might call a “paranormal route in Malaga.”

Thus, since the Board last summer began publishing these stories through their social network page on Facebook, many visitors attracted by the mystery have wanted to join them and witness the events they describe.

For this promotion the Malaga tourist board additionally counts on the collaboration of a travel agency and a journalist specializing in paranormal topics, José Manuel Frías, who, after more than 15 years investigating claims that the mystery belongs to the local culture and offers thus more than 1,800 stories that provide insight into the more than 100 villages in the province from a different viewpoint.