The Asociación de Empresarios Hoteleros de la Costa del Sol (Aehcos) reported an average hotel occupancy of 82.85% in Málaga from March 27 to April 6, exceeding initial forecasts of 73.47% and figures from 2025 and 2024. Good weather and international tourism offset the AVE high-speed rail disconnection with Madrid caused by a February landslide. The Federación Andaluza de Hostelería also described Easter Week as 'good' across Andalucía, including Málaga.
Aehcos stated that average hotel occupancy during Easter Week reached 82.85%, 10% above pessimistic late-March forecasts due to the AVE cutoff. This figure surpasses 2025's 80.1% and 2024's 75.9%, though two points below 2023. During key days from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, it rose to 85.2%.
Aehcos president José Luque credited the 'high occupancy levels' to good weather with full sun and 25°C temperatures, plus national (22%) and international (78%) demand. Standouts include Benalmádena at 90.30%, Axarquía at 86.67%, and Torremolinos at 85.85%. Hotels like Well & Come closed at 99% and Only You Málaga at 93.1%.
A February talud landslide blocked the AVE line, with reopening expected late this month. Andalusian officials like Arturo Bernal called the week 'definitively lost' and estimated 1.300 million euros in losses, a figure denied by the hoteliers' association. Mayor Francisco de la Torre predicted 'minimal' impact, borne out by 68,657 visitors, 1% up from last year, with only 5% from Madrid.
Javier Frutos, president of the Federación Andaluza de Hostelería, called Easter Week 'good,' with strong coastal and airport traffic despite the AVE issue. Málaga's PSOE demanded apologies from Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla and De la Torre for 'catastrophism.' Employment improved, with 1,863 fewer unemployment claimants in March and 14,307 more Social Security affiliates.