The president of the Tourism Board of the Costa del Sol, Elías Bendodo, attended the World Travel Market (WTM) in London to present a new brand under the title “Living Costa del Sol”, the aim of which is to attract more British tourists and property buyers to help relieve the stock of more than 30,000 unsold homes available in the region.
Bendodo explained that the initiative, which involves banks, home-owners and insurers, aims to increase property sales to the British market to boost the economy and to clear the surplus of unsold property, a result of many years of development. The scheme aims to encourage buyers by putting guarantees in place for the legality of properties.
“The Costa del Sol is a tourist destination open all year and we are the first choice destination for many British travellers. There is a large number of Brits who are already permanent residents in Spain”, Bendodo said.
The head of the tourism board confirmed that “After a difficult 2010, in 2011 we have noticed an increase in visitor numbers from the UK which is essential for us as it means more passengers pass through the airport, higher occupancy in hotels and tourism spending.” adding that the initiative also aimed ”to promote economic recovery and improve our tourism industry, which contributes between 12% and 14% of provincial GDP”.
The scheme was created “to convince British tourists to relocate their permanent home to the Costa del Sol, where they can live the dream.” However, the plan also involves promoting the region to the German, Scandinavian, Italian and French markets.
Elías Bendodo said his presence at the WTM was “to work, to innovate, to promote, to search for and invite tourists to the Costa del Sol, an all year destination.”
