About us

On the basis of the Cooperative of Costa del Sol Promotion Agencies, on April 29, 1976, the Costa del Sol Tourist Board was created within the frame of Law 191/1964, of December 24. Its first articles of association state that it is aimed at “promoting the development of a consortium made up by private companies, leading local tourism institutions, and national government agencies.”

As stated in the foundation meeting, the Tourist Board was created “after the need for an immediate response to the problems in the tourism industry.”

It was only in June 1978 that the Civil Government of Málaga registered the Costa del Sol Tourist Board in the Register of Associations. A few months later, the first amendments were made to its articles of association. Further amendments would come later, in 1983, 1989, 1993, 1996, and 2000. The affiliation requirements and the governing bodies –Permanent Committee, Board of Directors, General Assembly–, however, were never modified.

The first president of the Tourist Board was the civil governor of Málaga. He was followed by leading men in the local travel industry who were also part of the history of the Costa del Sol, such as Agustín Picazo, José Galeote, Rafael Núñez, or Ángel Carazo.

1989 marked a turning point in the history of the Costa del Sol tourism promotion agency. With the accession of Antonio Maldonado to the executive of the provincial government of Málaga, and in view of the economic hardships the Tourist Board had faced since its inception, it was agreed that the provincial government should become a “majority partner,” contributing most of the institution’s funds and raising them by the year. Since then, the president of the Tourist Board has been the head of the provincial government.

The executive power of the Tourist Board is exercised by the managing director. This office has been held by Carlos Gil, José Juan Abrines, Juan Antonio Castillo, Antonio Andrade, Felipe Paramio, Ana Gómez (the first woman), Juan Antonio Martín, Antonio Díaz, and Ana Gómez again. Currently, this position is being held by Arturo Bernal.

It would be impossible to mention all the events in the Tourist Board’s 25-year history. Besides its presence in all general and special travel shows and fairs, and the planning of activities in Málaga and beyond, there are some that have changed the flow of history for the Costa del Sol tourism industry.

The first important tourism event held on the Costa del Sol was the annual conference of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) in 1978. ABTA held their annual conference in Málaga again in 1998. Other breakthrough events included the conferences of the Confederation of Latin American Tourism Organisations (COTAL) and the German Travel Association (DRV), world-class shows like World Dance Costa del Sol or Rolling Stones, and international golf tournaments. They have all contributed to turn the Costa del Sol into the leading travel destination in peninsular Spain.

With regard to advertising, “Sunbook” can be said to be the best-known product. It took the Costa del Sol to every corner on earth. Likewise, the “Sun Bus” rode for thousands of kilometres across Spanish territory wooing Spanish tourists, and successfully bringing them to Málaga.

Also, throughout the years, hundreds of journalists have been invited to visit the Costa del Sol and then write articles about it. On the whole, press trips have proved to be highly effective.