As the summer of 2024 approaches, Andalusia grapples with the looming threat of a severe drought, posing potential disaster for the tourism sector. In addition to grappling with inflation and soaring raw material costs, the persistent drought emerges as a significant challenge, particularly affecting the hotel industry. While recent rainfall has provided some relief, it appears insufficient to offset the critical issues plaguing agriculture and, most notably, the hospitality sector.
The Impact of Tourism on Andalusia’s Economy in 2023 Before the pandemic, Andalusia’s tourism sector contributed around €14 billion to the economy. Post-pandemic, this figure has surged to €17 billion, reflecting a 7.3% increase in foreign visitors compared to the summer of 2022, with an impressive 88% occupancy rate in August. The province of Malaga, specifically, concluded 2023 with an average occupancy rate of 76.82%, indicating an 8.58% rise compared to 2022.
Forecasts for 2024 With recommendations from the Spanish government to address the adverse effects of the drought, hotels, particularly in Catalonia and Andalusia, are proactively developing contingency plans to safeguard against potential setbacks. The hotel association expresses ongoing concern about Andalusia’s drought, exacerbated by increased water prices in certain municipalities (approximately 30%), rising operational costs, and fiscal considerations related to VAT, particularly in gas and electricity. Furthermore, economic and touristic uncertainties loom due to escalating international conflicts.
Francisco Salado, President of Tourism Costa del Sol and the Provincial Government of Malaga, warns that the success experienced in 2023 could be jeopardized in 2024, leading to a decline in destination quality and a significant adverse impact on the sector.
Addressing the Implications The tourism industry, which significantly influences employment, experienced a 4.1% growth in 2023 compared to the previous year, employing 128,430 individuals. However, if the drought persists, hotel pools may remain unfilled, gyms could face restrictions, golf course activities might be curtailed, and extended water cuts during the day could substantially affect visitors.
Solutions to Mitigate Drought Impact The hotel sector advocates for swift action from the Central Government to implement effective measures against the drought, including the activation of desalination plants in Mijas and Axarquia, as well as the expansion of the Marbella desalination plant.
To combat potential water scarcity, hotels are contemplating the purchase of water tanks to ensure minimal irrigation for plants and pool refills in case of necessity. Another viable solution is the installation of water recirculation systems in pools.
Visitor Awareness and Sustainable Practices Raising awareness among visitors regarding water conservation is crucial. Some hotel chains are introducing dual-flush toilets and aerator faucets to halve water flow. Additionally, the replacement of bathtubs with showers is gaining traction. Some hotels even provide guests with a Spotify playlist, encouraging them to limit their shower time to the duration of a song, typically around four minutes.
Efficient Water Reuse Strategies Emphasizing water reuse, hotels are exploring the use of greywater for toilet and exterior cleaning, while rainwater could serve irrigation purposes in gardens.
In pursuit of sustainability, hotel chains like Barceló have invested in flow and pressure reducers, presence sensors in faucets, and the replacement of appliances with more energy-efficient models.
Leveraging Technology for Consumption Control Considering the daily water consumption, Andalusian hotels are contemplating the implementation of an infrastructure that allows for automatic calculation of their water footprint. Centralized counters would enable rigorous tracking of each guest’s water consumption.
Regulatory Compliance and Future Collaboration Current regulations mandate tourist accommodations, including apartments and hotels, to have water tanks that can cover three days’ worth of water needs for the entire establishment.
The strides toward a more regenerative and sustainable tourism industry will only be effective if public administrations actively collaborate. Therefore, it is imperative to address this issue in the formulation of the 2024 State Budget, making consensual decisions that support the tourism sector.