Marbella big spenders buy 20% of all luxury goods sold in Spain

We all know that money makes the world go round, so while it hardly comes as a surprise that Marbella is still spinning merrily on its axis, the fact that as many as 1 in every 5 luxury items sold in Spain are purchased in the Costa del Sol’s most famous resort – particularly during the current economic meltdown affecting much of the Western world – is certainly pretty impressive.

According to Cristina Martín, executive president of the Luxury Spain association (La Asociación Española de Lujo), the nation’s luxury products and services sector was worth 4,200 million Euros in 2011 – a 20% increase compared with the previous year – while the forecast for 2012 predicts 14% growth and a total of 4,800 million Euros.

“Gastronomy, beauty and the hospitality industry are the major movers,” says Martín, who was speaking on Luxury Spain’s first anniversary, “followed by fashion, accessories and jewellery.”

In third place with 20% of the market, only Barcelona (32%) and Madrid (30%) fair better than Marbella, while Ibiza and Mallorca come in 4^th and 5^th place with 10% and 8% respectively.

The principal export markets for ‘made in Spain’ luxury brands are China, Russia, the US and Europe.

Hurtan Grand Albaycín - the embodiment of the gorgeous Jaguar XK120.

Founded in 2011 with 18 members, Luxury Spain already has more than 50 high-end Spanish associates, including Granada-based Hurtan, specialising in drop-dead gorgeous custom-crafted roadsters reminiscent of the classic British sports cars of the 50s.