Alan Wentworth-Harley's Marbella Property Insider

British holiday makers spent €1,778 million in Spain during the month of May, which has increased by 18.9% on last years figures according to the government’s central statistics unit. British tourist numbers also grew by just over 14% to just over 2 million compared to last year, even the week pound does not seem to have deterred them, the average amount spent during their stay rises by 4.3% to €869, according to the data. The total amount spent by foreign visitors in Spain during May reached €7,841 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.3%. In May, visitors from the UK made up 22% of all spending by foreign tourists in May. Year-to-date figures (January to May), show that a total of €28,235 million was spent in Spain by foreign tourists, an increase of 14.7% compared with the same five month period last year. British visitors spent 15.5% more, contributing €5,625 million and accounting for 19.9% of the total market share. Year-to-date figures ...

THE UK government has a released a how-to video for British holidaymakers on how to survive a terrorist attack while on holiday. With the chances of being involved in a terror attack remain extremely rare, holidaymakers travelling abroad this summer are being urged to watch a new video designed to help keep them safe in the event of an incident. The four-minute clip, released yesterday, by the counter terrorism police, shows holidaymakers how to run, hide and tell at the first sign of trouble. There is no specific intelligence that British holidaymakers will be targeted this summer but the launch of the film and supporting information is part of a general campaign to raise awareness among the public. It highlights the steps people can take to minimise the impact of an attack – including knowing the local emergency services number. “The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident are still low, but sadly we have seen atrocities take place in the UK and ...

Torre del Mar beach regains the prestigious blue flag. It comes after it lost the title four years ago.   The lovely beach has an area of over 2,000 meters where you enjoy a wonderful day in the sun and is ideal for visiting with family, because it has all types of services.  It is also hosting a weekend beach festival from the 5-8 July 2017 which will include a line up of  rock, indie, rap, reggae, house, techno and more as European and international acts combine for a diverse musical fiesta . It joins fellow Axarquia beaches Benajarafe, Caleta de Velez and El Morche, which also have the prestigious title. The area boasts five in total that carry the flag. The stamp of honour is reserved for beaches with exceptional water quality, safety, hygiene, accessibility, services, information and lifeguards.

Yes the Brits are still the number one foreign buyer of property in Spain. Latest  figures out show that the amount of sales continues to rise year on year,  Also Spain is enjoying a fantastic tourism season breaking numbers on the same time last year. The first two quarters of 2016 residential property figures are now out and, similar to tourism figures, residential property sales continue to increase. Residential property sales are up around 23- 24 per cent on the same period last year and new home sales are also stronger than 2015. With foreign buyers representing approximately 15 per cent of all residential property sales in Spain but in popular locations such as the Costa’s the foreign buyers tend to dominate the local residential property sales market. There is also good news for house prices as in the first two quarters residential property prices continued to rise, good news for investors looking for capital appreciation. Residential property sal...

By examining property trends in the past years, a professor of financial management has stated that the upturn in Spanish property prices will continue to at least 2025 making Spain a leading investment location for property buyers. Home values have risen by an average of 6,3% in the first quarter of 2016 which is the highest increase in 8 years and this is set to continue due to the increase in property hunters flocking to Spain. Properties which had previously been on the market for over 5 years have now been snapped up at great prices but owners are now realising that the demand for property here in Marbella is high and prices are now on the increase. New build properties are sold out before they are built as the banks are now guaranteeing the work will be done within the specified time lines given by the developers.   My advice would be for anyone interested in buying a property here to make arrangements to visit soon as pr...

Sheikh Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani , the owner of Malaga football club was to invest over 400 million €  in the new port situated in Marbella , plans included a 200 metre quay for cruise liners and a brand new 6*hotel nestled between bars restaurants designers shops etc but now the Qatari sheik has decided he no longer wants to commit. Disney would like to turn it into a water based theme park based on movies such as finding Nemo. Pixar Port would be extremely popular with tourists who already flock to Marbella due to its fantastic climate and classy restaurants bars and clubs. In the words of toy story let’s hope this takes Marbella to infinity and beyond!!

After the great success this valentine’s day  la sala restaurant /bar on Gibraltar’s sunborn yacht hotel is proving to be  popular amongst the stars including premiership footballers and wags , maybe that’s because its part owned by a string of former players in the premier league. La Sala is already the place to be seen and mingle with the stars in Nueva Andalucia, since the show the only way is Essex or life on Marbs was broadcast on ITV Be it seems to have attracted even more customers hoping to catch a glimpse of famous faces. Special offers to stay on the Sunborn Gibralta start from £225 a night which includes a 3 course dinner, 1 nights’ accommodation and buffet breakfast, not bad for those looking for a great place to celebrate a special occasion.