Hilton returns to the Costa del Sol

THE Hilton group is returning to the Costa del Sol following an agreement with the Reserva del Higueron resort between Benalmadena and Fuengirola.

The agreement was signed at the Spanish embassy in Berlin between Marybelle Arnett, vice-president of the Hiltongroup for Europe and Africa, and representatives from the resort.

Ana Mula, Mayor of Fuengirola, and Paloma Garcia Galvez, Mayor of Benalmadena, attended the meeting along with Carlos Conde who represented the Costa del Sol tourist board.

Although Hilton has an establishment, the Hilton Garden, in Malaga city, the American group had been absent from the Costa del Sol tourist hotspots for four decades after leaving the Don Carlos hotel in Marbella.

Brand area vice-president for the group Andreas Lackner said that 44 million Hilton fidelity card holders could become potential visitors to the Costa following the agreement, attracted by the climate, culture and gastronomy.

Meanwhile Conde stressed that the agreement will improve the Costa’s position regarding the American tourism market.

Benalmadena mayor Paloma Garcia Galvez said that up market tourists will be attracted to the resort, while Ana Mula, mayor of Fuengirola, stressed: “This brand name is very important to our towns. It will turn us into a top-quality tourist attraction.”