August, the make or break month for the tourist industry on the Costa del Sol (and elsewhere, for that matter), has arrived and, although there are a fair number of people around, nothing like the hordes of yesteryear.
Not unexpected. It may turn out to be that those (lesser numbers) actually making the journey to the coast are those with spending power, and it will be a question of quality rather than quantity as far as the tourist industry is concerned. Or it may not, of course.
The beaches have been busy for the past few days, not jam-packed, but reasonable numbers and some establishments seem to be doing a good trade.
Monday lunchtime(ish), having checked on progress at El Chucho beach (the new promenade should be ready for next summer), the restaurants on Torrecilla beach were, as you would expect, doing a good trade. So what about other places in the neighbourhood?
Wandering up calle Mérida to avenida Mediterraneo, most of the bars and restaurants (those that were open!) were low to zero occupancy, but with one notable exception. La Teja, on the corner of calle Mérida and avenida Mediterraneo.
All tables, inside and outside, were full (+/- 60 people?) and there were at least half a dozen people waiting for tables at any given time. They weren’t leaving to find somewhere else, they were standing around until a table became available, despite there being several other (good) dining establishments within a few paces. Someone has obviously got it right!
Yesterday, early to mid afternoon, a fair number on the beaches (Torrecilla – packed, El Playazo – reasonable number, Calahonda – high occupancy, La Caletilla – medium occupancy, El Salon – low occupancy). Bit surprised with El Salon, but there you go.
Not many people on the Balcón de Europa, far less than one would normally expect, even given the time of day (most shops closed). For those who were there, there was musical entertainment.