The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), pointed out the “evident damage” to the local economy caused by the stoppage of the high-speed rail service on the Málaga-Madrid line, and urged the central government to speed up works to restore competitive travel times as soon as possible.

Furthermore, Mata has joined the appeal made by the president of the Málaga Provincial Council and Tourism Costa del Sol, Francisco Salado, for the Spanish Government to provide an aid plan for the province’s main economic sectors. According to the local executive, this would “alleviate millions in losses’ caused by the rail isolation the capital is suffering on the eve of Easter”.

With only a few weeks until the start of the peak tourist season, the mayoress noted the provincial hotel association (Aehcos) has already warned of an alarming drop in bookings for the year’s first high-demand holiday period. “We are talking about losses running into the hundreds of millions of euros, and a drop in sales of more than 35%”, she said. 

 

Lack of competitiveness in transport

“There are booking cancellations, and competing destinations in the Mediterranean will have an advantage. There is clear damage to the reputation of the Costa del Sol as a destination and the longer we remain disconnected, the more we will suffer the consequences. The government must accelerate the work as much as possible. We are talking about jobs and income for local businesses”, the mayoress insisted.

For his part, the councillor for Tourism, Francisco Jerez (Vox), emphasised that “Easter marks the real start of the high season, and any uncertainty regarding connectivity immediately affects visitors’ decision-making”, adding that “when the country’s main railway axis ceases to be competitive, tourists look for alternative destinations where travel times are guaranteed”. He also warned of the reputational impact the situation could have if it persists over time. 

 

Beaches

The mayoress of Mijas has expressed her regret that the central government, the competent authority for restoring the beaches affected by the storms in December, January, and February, is still in the process of analysing the situation and has not yet begin the necessary work to stabilise the coastline. “Tourism is the main industry on the Costa del Sol, but the situation regarding transport and beaches is by no means adequate for the sector’s interests. The Government must provide a swift and effective response to the concerns of business owners”, seh said.

In this regard, Jerez emphasised that “we are doing everything within our remit, but we need the Government to act with the same urgency that the sector demands. Tourism is not about political colours, but about results”.

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