BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ON THE COSTA DEL SOL

The Costa Del Sol has become a hive of activity for both holiday makers and for the residents.

Recent government statistics show that not only are more visitors arriving, they are spending more per head.   Malaga Airport is being extended again to cope (ready in December 2007?) and a new car park is currently being built for another 1.800 cars at the main terminal (now open August 2007).      Extensive work to widen main roads, including a new ring road for Malaga city is also being carried out, and the huge new underground car park in the centre of Fuengirola is now finished with another planned, and other main towns are either building, or planning, new underground car parks to allow for visitors, and to get more cars off the narrow roads in these old towns.   The new airport control tower has been up for two years now

The statistics show that there are about 500.000 English speaking residents here on the Costa del Sol, and the Costa Blanca and Gran Canarias, and other places, and visitors swell this figure by at least ten times each year.   

There are many opportunities and The Costa Del Sol is still booming despite the 9/11 tragedy and efforts by ETA, who have recently been dealt major blows with many arrests in Spain and France, to spread terror.    The Spanish refuse to be cowed by these murderers, who exist because other governments world-wide in the past have bowed in to terror. 

However, the new government could be said to have given in to terror by refusing to support the re-generation of Iraq.

However, unlike the British Government, who have accepted Sinn Fein as the so-called political wing of the IRA murderers, the Spanish government has declared the so-called political party wing for ETA, the Batasuna Party, illegal as they will not speak out against ETA, and many tens of thousands of Spanish citizens demonstrate against ETA in the streets, especially after cowardly murders.   After the latest atrocity in March 2004, an estimated 11 million citizens demonstrated against ETA and Al Qaeda in the streets of Spanish cities.  The latest bombing has since been proven to be Al Qaeda.

Recent events have resulted in the ETA terrorist group being almost eliminated with most of the leaders, who were hiding in France, being arrested.  Attempts to talk peace by the Spanish government has allowed ETA to rearm and regroup.  Never negotiate with terrorists.

 General Notes

The climate on the Costa Del Sol ensures that millions of visitors, especially from Northern Europe spend their holidays here, even in the Winter.  There are "High" holiday weeks, "Medium" and "Low.  These are explained in our page on investing in the Costa Del Sol.    The following are the generally recognised holiday seasons.

In the High weeks, often some residents move inland or to the UK, etc., to stay with relatives, and rent out their homes to holidaymakers at rentals that can reach €450 per week for a small apartment, and upwards from €3.000 a week for a three/four plus-bedroomed luxury villas.  There are therefore two types of business to own:-

1. Mainly relying on the holiday trade.  These usually close for two to three months a year.

2. A general service/retail business that is open all year.

Both types offer good income as well as investment value, all in a warm climate.

In addition, there are many special events such as organised golfing holidays, and some hotels cater only for these people, or fishing, sailing, horse-riding/outdoor trailing (trekking), festivals - religious and for  wine, and so on.    These ensure a steady stream of visitors all year round, and for the investor from the southern hemisphere, the business is worked in their winter, so they may return home for their summer if they wish.   

Please see our advice on foreigners living and working in Spain.

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Updated 12/8/2007