Pension package

THE national government announced a new package of support to cover pensions in Almeria. The Spanish Treasury will pay €120 million in pensions contributions for residents in the area.

The Spanish government announced the policy at a press conference held on Wednesday, January 25, saying that it will provide almost 10 per cent of the region’s GDP through the scheme.

The move has been introduced to match workers’ contributions to their pensions which now stand at 8.5 per cent for contributory pensions and 15 per cent for noncontributory pensions.

Regional government representative, José María Martín explained that the government is committed to supporting Almeria’s nearly 118,000 pensioners with the scheme. The support will also maintain the value of existing pensions, meaning that pensioners will retain their purchasing power.

Martín added “At times like this, with high inflation and huge international uncertainty, we have to guarantee the value of pensions for retired people who do not have the means to react to increasing inflation.”

The group was set up in 2018 to run in the Mojacar area and welcomes running lovers of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, whether residents or visitors. Their Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.co m/groups/4909334092442 00.

Marvellous Mojacar

FOLLOWING the great interest in Mojacar at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid, FITUR 2023, Mojacar travelled to Belgium to attend one of the most important bicycle tourism fairs in Europe. The councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Aguero, met again with numerous Belgian, national and international clients and companies related to the sector, many of whom had already travelled to Mojacar before the pandemic. There was a great deal of interest in the dates and hotels available, with the intention of re­establishing the trips and tourist packages which had been interrupted by the pandemic.

As a result of these contacts, professional relations have been reopened and next winter the support of this sector will be a reality in the plans of the town council to break with seasonality and offer tourist and economic stability throughout the year.

Mojacar has a hotel industry specialised in this segment of tourism, and with professionally trained agents for the resurgence of sports tourism with guarantees.

Thanks to its climate, facilities, landscape and entrepreneurs, it is undoubtedly a consolidated ‘cycling destination’ in Europe.

Property prices

LATEST data from national property platform Idealista found that homes in Andalucia increased in price by an average of 5.7 per cent. Almeria however, remains one of the cheapest places to buy property, increasing by just 2.2 per cent.

Explosive find

GUARDIA CIVIL police forces acted quickly to destroy ammunition and explosive devices including two grenades that were discovered in a private address in Fondon. The ammunition and weapons appeared to be historical artifacts, but could still have posed a threat.

Great city

MORE than 50 per cent of Almeria City’s population said that the state of the city is ‘great’ in a communitywide survey conducted in January. Street cleaning and public transport were listed as the biggest areas for improvement by residents.

Jurassic dream

THE world’s largest travelling dinosaur exhibition arrives in Almeria this weekend on Saturday, February 4. Some 30 interactive and in some cases life ­ size dinosaur models make up the incredible collection which has toured more than a dozen countries.

Rail recovery

AFTER cutting back on services due to the pandemic, Renfe, the national train operator, will resume four daily train services between Almeria and Granada. The popular services will return to timetables earlier in the morning and later in the evening.

Cycling classic

THE Clásica de Almeria cycling race will see a total of nine world tour elite teams line up on the start line alongside another 12 professional and amateur teams. The race, covering 190 kilometres, is a key pre­season challenge date.

Betty Henderson VERA is warming up to hold the MAPFRE National Beach Tennis Championships this summer. The championships will return to the town from Friday, May 26 and again from Friday, June 30 for two weekends of competitive fun.

Announcing the news on Monday, January 30, the council congratulated Indalo Beach Tennis club for projecting the town into the international sports sphere.

This year will be the 21st edition of the event and its fourth in Vera, which brings