The City Council presents at FITUR the project that puts the finishing touch to the urban transformation of Estepona and that will merge the grand boulevard to the Mediterranean with the Costa del Sol Garden.

This project is a step forward in the sustainable city model and quality of life developed over the last decade and will make the public space of the central avenue San Lorenzo, of about 22,000 square meters, another benchmark of sustainability and quality tourism.

This new pedestrian area will be a great space for citizens and tourists, with rest and leisure areas, in a revitalized city and in an environmentally sustainable setting.

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, presented at FITUR the project that will be the culmination of the great urban transformation that the city has undergone in the last decade and which will involve the creation of a large public space in the heart of the town, which will merge the great pedestrian boulevard to the Mediterranean that has become the old N340 road -generating one of the best promenades in the country- with the renovated historic center, known as the ‘Garden of the Costa del Sol’.

This project will make the public space of the central avenue San Lorenzo, of about 22,000 square meters, another urban reference of sustainability and quality tourism. This new pedestrian area will be a new attraction for citizens and tourists, generating rest and leisure areas, in a revitalized city and in an environmentally sustainable environment.

The councilman explained that with this municipal initiative is moving forward in the urban model developed in these twelve years and in the friendly city and quality of life that has become Estepona. This model of urban development, he recalled, is an international benchmark and has been recognized by institutions and social partners for the benefits it brings to the future of societies.

Specifically, this new municipal project is already underway and is expected to begin after Easter, with a duration of 20 months. It will be developed in the San Lorenzo avenue, in the axis between the new Town Hall, the promenade and the town center, contemplating its exterior redevelopment for the generation of another large pedestrian boulevard with leisure and commercial spaces; as well as the creation of a subway parking with capacity for more than 300 vehicles, with the system of the municipal parking network of 1 euro per day cost for the user.

The mayor has detailed that this project continues to contribute to the “valuable revitalization of economic and social activity that has led to the great urban transformation that Estepona has undergone”. In the same way, this new initiative extols, on the one hand, the revitalization achieved in the urban center through the transformation and beautification of more than 130 streets in the center and, on the other hand, complements and expands the great pedestrian boulevard that runs parallel to the sea and that has in the Mirador del Carmen a valuable tourist, cultural and leisure element.

Tourist data

This municipal action has managed to reposition the Estepona tourism brand and link it to a quality destination and segments such as urban tourism, thereby managing to break the seasonality and offering an attractive destination throughout the year for tourists. Thus, the councilor has referred to the good data recorded last year, where overnight stays increased, registering more than 1.1 million overnight stays in hotels.

It is also noteworthy that Estepona hotels in the city were the most profitable in Spain during the month of August, according to INE data, with revenue per room of almost 250 euros. In this sense, it is worth remembering that Estepona is the town with the most hotel rooms in the five-star luxury category in the province of Malaga.

These data support the commitment to quality tourism and the ability of the city to attract investment and consolidate a hotel plant that contributes to the dynamism of the tourism sector and job creation.

Strategic Plan for Accessible Tourism

At FITUR, the councilman presented the Strategic Plan for Accessible Tourism, a reflection of the city’s commitment to travelers with accessibility needs. This document has been prepared by Impulsa Igualdad, a social entity specializing in accessibility and inclusive tourism, and studies the needs and improvements carried out by the city to be an inclusive destination for everyone. For years, the municipality of Estepona has been working across the board to achieve a more accessible and inclusive city in its infrastructure and services.

With this document, the City Council joins the promotion of accessible tourism that guarantees equal opportunities in the enjoyment of the tourist offer, in addition to providing better quality to establishments and tourist services in the town, since accessibility criteria currently recognized by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE) and the UNE 178501 standard that regulates the management system of smart destinations are integrated.

In this matter it should be noted that, in 2019, Estepona received from the Andalusian Government the ‘Andalusia + Social Award’ in recognition of the work of accessibility and social inclusion that had involved the urban regeneration of the center of Estepona. Other recent awards have been the ‘Ciudades que Caminan’ (Cities that Walk) Honorary Award for promoting pedestrian mobility and the second prize as European City of the Year 2023, awarded by The Academy of Urbanism in London.

IX World Ham Contest “Popi Ciudad de Estepona”.

The alderman has presented with the businessman José María Téllez ‘Popi’, the IX World Ham Contest, which is scheduled from August 8 to 15. Estepona will once again become the world capital of the Iberian product with the celebration of this event, which has achieved the declaration of ‘Event of Tourist Interest of Andalusia’.

The event will be attended by the best national companies related to the production of ham and its derivatives. In addition, there will be free concerts to liven up the event.

The mayor stressed that gastronomy and our wide range of restaurants are values that bring us closer to the visitor; at the same time he has valued the success that year after year surpasses this tourist activity.