The President of the Málaga Deputation and Costa del Sol Tourism, Francisco Salado, has warned about the impact of the current connectivity crisis on the destination’s competitiveness at a critical moment for the tourism sector. In his speech at the La Malagueta Cultural Center, Salado emphasized the serious situation arising from the railway problems affecting the province.

Salado stated that Costa del Sol is experiencing an exceptional situation caused by the interruption of rail connections and cautioned that it is a crisis that specifically affects the province and Andalucía. “Costa del Sol is facing the greatest crisis in its history due to the railway isolation,” he assured, highlighting the social impact of the disconnection, which affects thousands of workers, students, and families who rely on transport for daily commutes.

Francisco Salado, President of the Málaga Deputation and Costa del Sol Tourism

The president also highlighted the direct impact this situation could have on tourism during a particularly important time of the year: “This connectivity crisis comes at the worst possible moment, coinciding with Holy Week, one of the most significant seasons of the year,” he indicated. He noted that forecasts indicate a drop in bookings and potential economic losses for the destination in the upcoming months.

Faced with this scenario, Salado insisted on the urgent need for measures to mitigate the effects of the railway disconnection and proposed alternatives to improve connectivity and reduce inconvenience for travelers, utilizing existing infrastructure. He also demanded greater involvement from the government, requesting aid plans, responses to the disconnection, and a promotion plan for Costa del Sol to address the reputational damage caused by the crisis.

Beyond the current crisis, Salado underlined the need to strengthen mobility infrastructure in the province, stressing the importance of projects like the Costa del Sol train and improving road connections. He also highlighted Málaga airport’s strategic role as an international gateway and the necessity to expedite its expansion to accommodate increased passenger traffic and ensure the destination’s connectivity.