Costa Calida • Issue No. 2038 • 25 - 31 July 2024
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Helping local families HELP Murcia Mar Menor, a voluntary charitable emergency service, recently contributed €2,000 to the charity DEBRA, which supports families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), commonly known as Butterfly Skin. EB is a rare and painful condition that causes the skin to blister easily, often leading to severe discomfort and complications. This debilitating disease can appear suddenly and affects patients from birth, making even the simplest actions, like walking or eating, incredibly painful. DEBRA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with EB and their families through specialised care and support. Their team of nurses, psychologists, and researchers
HOTELS in Lorca are buzzing this summer! According to Santiago Parra, Lorca’s Tourism councillor, the first half of July saw an 11 per cent increase in hotel guests compared to the same period last year. A survey by the Murcia Region Tourism Institute (ITREM) revealed that hotel occupancy jumped from 52 per cent in 2023 to 63 per cent in 2024. But that’s not all. Parra shared that Lorca has welcomed 33.1 per cent more travellers year-over-year, reaching a total of 15,728 visitors. This impressive growth makes Lorca one of the top tourist destinations in the
Funding relief for Butterfly Skin.
works tirelessly to ease daily suffering and provide essential resources. The charity relies entirely on donations to fund their services and outreach. Although DEBRA operates internationally, HELP Murcia Mar Menor has ensured that this generous €2,000
donation will specifically benefit children and families in the Murcia region. The donation was formally presented by HELP Murcia Mar Menor’s President, Debbie, alongside several dedicated volunteers, to Mary Chambers, a representative from DEBRA’s Quesada offi-
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Mazarron tops rankings Image: Facebook/ Help Murcia Mar Menor
Catherine McGeer
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ce. The event took place outside the HELP MMM retail outlet, highlighting the commitment of both organisations to supporting local communities. This contribution will aid DEBRA in its ongoing mission to bring relief and support to those affected by EB.
AS of mid-2024, Mazarron has overtaken Gandia as the most profitable coastal area for property investments in Spain. According to Fotocasa’s ‘Profitability in Coastal Towns in Summer 2024,’ the average return on coastal properties is 6.5 per cent. Mazarron, located in Murcia, now leads with an impressive return of 11.4 per cent, surpassing Gandia’s 10.8 per cent. Gandia, which had been at the top for the past three years, is now in second place. The report notes that only these two towns offer returns exceeding 10 per cent this year, whereas five towns surpassed this threshold in 2023. Other notable coastal areas with high returns include Laredo and Águilas, both at 9.6 per cent. Conversely, San Sebastian and Calpe have the lowest returns, at 3.7 per cent. Maria Matos from Fotocasa highlights that while coastal property returns are generally strong, Valencia’s coast has notably outperformed Andalucia this year and Murcia continues to rise.
Image: Shutterstock/ Charlesy
Mazarron tops coastal property returns.
Lorca stands out
Image: Shutterstock/ JL. Lago
Tourists flock to Lorca.
Murcia Region. The positive trend is backed by Exceltur, which ranks Murcia among the regions with
the best summer growth prospects. Parra noted that while foreign tourists are on the rise, most visitors to Lorca’s
Tourist Office, the Castle, and the Visitor Centre are still nationals. Mayor Fulgencio Gil’s efforts are paying off. Parra attributed the success to effective promotional campaigns and strategic partnerships. And the fun doesn’t stop here. Lorca has lined up a variety of activities, including guided tours, nighttime events, and live music dinners, all detailed on www.lorca.es. “We invite everyone to explore Lorca’s rich cultural and tourist offerings this summer,” Parra concluded.
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