Number 13 may be unlucky for some, but it’s fortuitous for the Costa del Sol.
Starting a year which can only get better, reports of rich Russians shopping for luxury products and property were a great advert for Marbella on Spain’s national Informativos Telecinco news, 13/1/13 – ‘La Costa del Sol a la caza de los rusos’ (‘Russians on the hunt on the Costa del Sol’), http://www.telecinco.es/informativos/nacional/Rusos-verano-costa_del_sol-vacaciones-dinero-turistas_2_1540380024.html.
Coinciding with the ELITE Collection campaign promoted by the Costa del Sol Tourist Board with content by Pro Write and Edit, Telecinco’s message to the country is clear: we’re welcoming Russians in ever-increasing numbers as Málaga Airport greeted Spain’s one millionth visitor in October 2012, drawn to our exclusive combination of warm sunny days, leisurely lifestyle, personalised customer care and a reviving real estate market. “And what else do they find here in Marbella? Without doubt, luxury.”
“Everyone in the world knows the Costa del Sol as a destination”, say Telecinco. But Russians escaping their freezing home temperatures are adding weight to the Coast’s high-end reputation and economy with Marbella enjoying a 30% increase in luxury property sales. According to Puerto Banús-based real estate empresaria Kristina Szekely, this high-spending niche “seek small or large first line beach properties, always in the best locations.”
Other prime purchases include the finest jewellery pieces and ultimate tech watches such as the much-sought-after Swiss model worn by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. “Price is no object for quality” claims one luxury yacht seller, while another adds: “Russian customers value quality, personal attention and, above all, sincerity.”