Last week, we brought together owners of rural holiday homes, industry professionals and tourism experts in Cerralba (Pizarra). The aim was clear: to explain how a rural holiday home in Málaga can become a stable source of income when managed professionally.
The event, organised by Cubo’s Holiday Homes, took place at the Edificio La Huerta, the headquarters of the Guadalhorce Valley Rural Development Group. The day began with a varied and carefully prepared breakfast. This provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss the current state of rural tourism in the area. This was followed by a morning packed with ideas, data and useful strategies for property owners.
Following this initial get-together amongst the attendees, we moved to the auditorium to begin the presentations. There, we shared real-world data, management tools and strategies. In fact, these are already being successfully applied by over 400 property owners who work exclusively with us.
Why more and more property owners are opting for rural holiday rentals
Rural tourism in the province of Málaga is experiencing a period of significant growth, particularly in areas such as the Guadalhorce Valley and the Sierra de las Nieves. There, an increasing number of travellers are seeking nature, tranquillity and self-catering accommodation. As a result, many rural properties have become a genuine opportunity to generate income all year round. However, the difference between a property that receives few bookings and one that achieves high occupancy usually lies in the management strategy, visibility on booking platforms, pricing and the guest experience. Indeed, these were some of the key topics covered at the event.
Presentations at the event: strategies for improving the profitability of a rural holiday home
Félix Lozano, the mayor of Pizarra, opened the event and welcomed us. We are extremely grateful for his presence and support for the sector. In his speech, he spoke of the key role played by tourism in the region and how it has been transforming the local economy in recent years. This was followed by presentations from various professionals.
The impact of rural tourism on the region
Juan Cubo, CEO & Founder of Cubo’s Holiday Homes, opened the series of presentations by analysing the evolution of rural tourism in the province of Málaga and the profile of today’s traveller. During his presentation, he explained how booking habits, average visitor spend and the growing demand for rural accommodation in the interior of the province have changed. He also highlighted the role of holiday rentals as an economic driver for the villages of the Guadalhorce Valley. In this way, it helps to create jobs, retain the local population and boost local trade.
Online visibility and guest experience
Paula Gómez and Natalia Gómez, from the Marketing and Customer Service Department, addressed one of the key factors in increasing bookings: the online visibility of tourist accommodation. They explained how professional photographs and SEO optimisation of listings improve a property’s ranking on platforms such as Booking or Airbnb. They also emphasised that smooth communication with guests – before, during and after their stay – influences the overall experience. They provided real-life examples, demonstrating how positive reviews and customer service influence the decision to book.
The value of the region and local produce
Sebastián Hevilla Ordoñez, manager of the Valle del Guadalhorce Rural Development Group, gave a talk on regional identity and the value of local produce as a tourist attraction. During his presentation, he highlighted the region’s iconic products, such as the ‘Huevo de Toro’ tomato, the ‘Aloreña’ olive and Málaga cheeses. He also explained how the link between agriculture, gastronomy and tourism helps to create authentic experiences for visitors.
Tourism regulations in Andalusia for rural holiday homes
One of the topics that generated the most interest amongst attendees was the legal framework for holiday rentals. Marina Cubo, from the Legal Department at Cubo’s Holiday Homes, clearly explained the different types of tourism licences available in Andalusia: VUT, VTAR and CR. She also detailed the requirements necessary to market a property legally. Finally, she addressed key aspects such as the NRUA register and the obligation to report travellers’ details via the SES Hospedajes system.
Technology, distribution and strategic partnerships in holiday rentals
Beatriz García, from the Product Department at Cubo’s Holiday Homes, shared the session with Irene Codina, Senior Account Manager at Booking.com. During this presentation, they explained how major booking portals act as strategic partners. On the one hand, they provide international visibility for holiday accommodation. On the other hand, they help secure bookings in line with market demand. Irene detailed how platforms such as Booking connect travellers with accommodation worldwide. She also explained that small details in the presentation of the accommodation and the services offered can make a big difference to the guest experience.
For her part, Beatriz explored the role of the technology partners we use in the professional management of holiday homes. Among these, she highlighted Avantio for distribution and booking management, and Roomonitor for monitoring the accommodation. She also explained how the various marketing platforms support the booking strategy. She also emphasised the importance of offering complementary experiences during the stay. This improves traveller satisfaction and adds value to the accommodation.
Dynamic pricing and analysis of the holiday rental market
Juan Manuel Conejo, head of the Revenue Department, explained how the holiday rental market is analysed in areas such as the Guadalhorce Valley and the Sierra de las Nieves. The aim is to establish dynamic pricing strategies. During his presentation, he demonstrated how metrics such as occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and average length of stay enable prices to be adjusted according to demand. This makes it possible to maximise the profitability of a holiday home.
Professional management and project growth
To round off the day, Cristina Granados, from the Accounts Department, explained how Cubo’s Holiday Homes’ comprehensive management service works for property owners. Following a fun Kahoot! session with the attendees, she outlined the company’s growth. It currently manages over 400 properties on an exclusive basis. She also detailed the various services that enable owners to maximise the profitability of their properties whilst delegating day-to-day management to a specialist team.
In summary, this event has taught us an important lesson: rural tourism in the Guadalhorce Valley has great potential. However, to stand out and be profitable, it is no longer enough simply to place an advert online. A clear strategy, excellent guest service, a sound pricing policy and solid legal backing are all essential.
Do you own a rural holiday home in Málaga and want to improve its profitability?
As we saw during the event held in Cerralba, the profitability of a holiday home does not depend solely on advertising it online. Other factors also play a part, such as visibility on booking platforms, pricing strategy, the guest experience and compliance with tourism regulations.
At Cubo’s Holiday Homes, we have been managing holiday homes for over 9 years. We currently manage more than 400 properties on an exclusive basis in the province of Málaga. Furthermore, we help owners increase their income through professional management.
👉 If you’d like to find out how much your property could generate, request a free profitability analysis for your accommodation.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this fantastic event possible!
See you at the next event.
7 tips for maximising the profitability of a holiday home that we learnt at the event
1. Get to know today’s traveller
Understanding who visits inland Málaga (profile, nationality or type of stay) allows you to tailor your accommodation and improve your booking strategy.
2. Pay attention to the presentation of your accommodation
Professional photographs, good descriptions and optimised listings increase visibility and generate more bookings.
3. Provide a good guest experience
Clear communication and good customer service before, during and after the stay have a direct impact on reviews.
4. Showcase the rural setting
Local cuisine, regional produce and outdoor activities help your accommodation stand out.
5. Comply with tourism regulations
Having the correct licence and meeting legal requirements is essential for operating with peace of mind.
6. Be listed on the main booking platforms
Effective distribution across international platforms increases the accommodation’s visibility.
7. Apply dynamic pricing
Adjusting rates according to demand and market trends helps to improve annual profitability.