Assignment: Write a 250 word article about your community

Malaga Tourism: Economic Booster or Local Hassle?

With beautiful beaches, famous food, and exciting culture, it is clear why Spain is a tourism hot spot. Although, it wasn´t always as popular due to a government cautious of tourism. Spain only recently began encouraging vacationers across their border to boost their economy. They began their tourism campaign on the Mediterranean coast, including the humble port city of Malaga.

Malaga, with a catchy nickname, “La Costa del Sol”, or “the sunny coast”, is responsible for thousands of tourists each summer. “It is attracted to by the sun or the beach. It is a beautiful place,” Maria Martin Sanchez, a citizen, says of Malaga.  Along with the beach you can also see various tourist attractions including castles, an ancient roman theater, and a classic Spanish bull fighting ring. But don´t forget, this is not only a vacation spot, it is a place called home to thousands affected by this tourism boom.

The Spanish government was successful in gaining a tourism income, making millions each year from vacationers. Jobs were created in cities like Malaga, allowing citizens to open tourist shops and become more successful at their restaurants, focusing their advertisement on travelers.

But, tourism isn´t all profit, it has its disadvantages too. The beaches have become overcrowded and littered. Federico Romero Calderon, another citizen of Malaga, states, “They [the beaches in Malaga] are filthy. The tourists leave trash everywhere and it pollutes the water.”

Tourism in Malaga has clearly aided the economy; however it has caused citizens to live with seeing their beautiful beaches and city degrade.