Mijas has been declared a Zone of Great Tourist Affluence (ZGAT) by the Junta de Andalucía, a classification which had it already but now gets indefinitely. It allows businesses to decide the days and opening hours to the public in the approved periods of the year. This listing is definitive since it was published in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) on 16th March. “It is a recognition given by the Junta de Andalucía to different municipalities. It has been granted to us as we have a great tourist attraction and many visitors,” said the Tourism Councillor, José Carlos Martín (Cs), who announced on Wednesday 23rd the granting of this classification together with the Councillor for Industry, Andrés Ruiz (Cs). This classification as a Zone of Great Tourist Affluence allows businesses to open from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Both included, and from 1st June to 30th September. Previously, it had to be renewed every four years, the declaration has now been granted indefinitely, as long as the circumstances that motivated it, such as the number of overnight stays or the influx of visitors, are maintained. Precisely, with this classification, the services provided to tourists are extended. “Those who come to visit us must have quality services and the ease of access to shopping centres on Sundays and public holidays. It should be clarified that this is not for the whole year but only for the summer period and Easter. This gives them a bonus compared to other destinations that do not have this classification,” Martín explained.

The benefits are also for the people of Mijas, as this figure has an impact on the economy. “This cataloguing allows us to invigorate the local economy and generate employment,” said Ruiz to add that “those weekends traders will have to make a reinforcement of people. They will see their turnover increase, and that means more opportunities for people who are looking for a job. The Councillor for Industry also stresses that, in addition to tourism factors, other aspects have been taken into account for the cataloguing: “From the cultural point of view, it has had a lot to do with the fact that the “Conjunto Histórico”, Historic Site is catalogued as such, and that we have “Bienes de Interés Cultural”, Cultural Heritage as they are a focus of attraction for tourism. On the other hand, the important sporting events that have been taking place in our municipality have given the Junta de Andalucía the grounds to classify us as a Zone of Great Tourist Affluence”, concluded Ruiz.

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