The military escalation in the Middle East generates doubts among tourism entrepreneurs in Marbella, who fear a decline in high-spending Arab visitors. Industry associations are already recording last-minute cancellations and bookings.
Business associations in Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara have alerted the local tourism sector to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The war around the Strait of Hormuz, which affects key routes for trade and air transport, has caused a wave of uncertainty that is already translating into last-minute cancellations and a change in the profile of travellers arriving on the Costa del Sol.
The Arab tourist, the most affected by the conflict
The profile of tourists from the Middle East, characterised by their high purchasing power and extended stays, is the one that most concerns local merchants and hoteliers. According to the president of the Association of Merchants and Professionals of the Old Town of Marbella, Carola Herrero, the sector catering to this visitor is the most affected at the start of summer.
“We hope that European tourists can compensate for the loss of Arab tourists,” says Herrero, who adds that, despite everything, “people are spending, which shows the desire to travel.”
The president of the Centre for Tourism Initiatives (CIT) in Marbella, Juan José González, agrees that international conflicts generate uncertainty, but warns that no one should see a crisis as an opportunity. “Marbella must remain competitive on its own merits: quality, safety, and trust,” he emphasises.
Cancellations and last-minute bookings in San Pedro
In the town of San Pedro Alcántara, the Business Association (Apymespa) has detected an increase in cancellations and a reduction in the length of stays. There has also been an increase in last-minute bookings and greater price sensitivity among customers, according to the association's analysis.
Its president, José María Moreno, believes that the conflicts in Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East have not harmed Marbella but have consolidated it as a safe destination. However, he warns: “We cannot rely on luck. We must keep working because the economy changes and we must be prepared.”
For the resident of Marbella, this situation translates into a possible slowdown in economic activity in sectors such as hospitality, luxury retail, and tourism services. The uncertainty also affects small and medium-sized enterprises, which see their income increasingly dependent on European tourism, which, although loyal, spends less per day than Middle Eastern visitors.
A key summer for the local economy
The summer campaign is the most important for the economic development of Marbella and its surroundings. Tourism represents the main driver of the local GDP, and any alteration in the flow of visitors has a direct impact on employment and the turnover of thousands of businesses.
Business associations have decided to wait until the end of summer to make a more reliable diagnosis of the real impact of the conflict. In the meantime, the sector is closely monitoring the evolution of bookings and the arrival of European tourists, who could compensate for the decline in the Arab market.
In a global context marked by geopolitical tension, the Costa del Sol reaffirms itself as a refuge destination, but entrepreneurs remind that competitiveness is not improvised. Uncertainty, at least for now, has settled in paradise.
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