PRIVATE VISIT
Michelle and her daughter Sasha plus a large group of friends are due to arrive at the Villa Padierna in Benahavís next week
31.07.10 - 18:31 -
RESORT. The Obamas will be staying at the luxury Villa Padierna complex in the municipality of Benahavís. SUR
U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama, and one of her daughters, nine-year-old Sasha, will travel to Marbella in the first week of August on a private visit.
It is thought that the First Lady is making the visit to spend time with several old family friends who live in the area. Mother and daughter and an entourage of friends will stay at Hotel Villa Padierna in Benahavís.
The senior White House official, who did not wish to be named, said that although the President himself is not scheduled to leave the United States, there is much speculation that he may join his wife for part of her trip, especially as August 4th is his 49th birthday. The couple’s other child, 12 year old Malia, is attending a summer camp near Washington D.C.
Barack Obama had planned to make 11 overseas visits this year but this has recently been cut back as he was forced to stay in America to deal with the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and push forward his health reform plans.
Satisfaction
The visit has caused great expectation and excitement among the Costa del Sol tourism industry. The announcement has been seen by many as the ultimate proof that Marbella has finally recovered its status as a luxury touirst destination after having its reputation soiled by municipal corruption.
The regional councillor for Tourism Luciano Alonso, expressed his satisfaction, speaking from the Universal Exhibition in Shanghai. “This is the best promotion anyone could think of because it places Marbella and Andalucía at the forefront of quality tourism, something we have been working towards for a long time.
