Por Redaccion 
Marbella continues to consolidate itself as a top-level tourist destination according to the occupancy data recorded in May, with a rate of 76.4 percent, and after breaking a new record in terms of hotel profitability. The general director of the sector, Laura de Arce, has valued the indicators of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), which reach unprecedented figures in prices and room income in a month where national tourist visits have achieved the best results in the last 14 years.
The municipal representative has emphasized that, «although year after year we have been breaking seasonality, historically May has been a key month for the high season and these levels show that our destination continues to be an attractive reference point, even in a competitive and changing context.» «This context has led to a more volatile behavior in international markets, but the stability and tourist strength of our city and the consolidation of Marbella as a safe and quality enclave have allowed us to continue being a suggestive destination, especially for national clients,» De Arce pointed out, detailing that, according to INE data, the total number of travelers in May was 75,941, of which 57,759 came from foreign countries, while overnight stays were 263,032, also showing an increase by national tourists.
Regarding hotel profitability, unprecedented indicators were obtained for the month of May. In this way, the average room rate (ADR) was 234.95 euros and the revenue per available room (RevPAR) was 178.20 euros, both marking a new maximum in the historical series. These data represent an increase of 10.6 percent in average prices and 8.7 percent in RevPAR compared to May 2014, when they reached 212.39 euros and 163 euros, respectively. The general director has indicated that «this sustained growth is attributed, among other factors, to the segmentation and repositioning strategy of our destination towards a tourism with greater purchasing power that seeks excellence in service, reinforced by the renovation of the hotel sector and the attractiveness of international events, which add to the strength of an enviable climate, an active cultural program, and our offer of leisure, gastronomy, nature, and well-being.» «Both the City Council and the tourist associations agree that this evolution reaffirms Marbella’s position as one of the most competitive luxury destinations in the Mediterranean,» she added.