12% Increase in Restaurants in the Region of Murcia

The number of restaurants in the Region of Murcia increased by almost 12% in 2006, a staggering 198 new establishments opening their doors to the public for the first time. This exceptional growth appears to be directly related to the increased level of commercial activity and tourism that has taken place in the Region in recent years.

The growth has affected the entire region, including the Spanish cities of Murcia and Cartagena, and all the major tourist resorts on the Regions Costa Calida coast – the Mar Menor, La Manga, Mazarron and Aguilas. The primary driving force behind these increases has been the recent opening of new commercial centres.

The most notable increases can be seen at the quality end of the market, where the number of restaurants with the prestigious “4 forks” certificate grew from just one, in Murcia city, to six, in Murcia city, Los Alcazares, Torre Pacheco, and Fuente Alamo. José Marcos, President of the Restaurants Association, of the Region of Murcia, says that this is a direct result of the exclusive Golf Resorts that have recently opened in the Region.