I think they will send robots first, to assemble the prefab surface structures needed to service return flights.
Underground apartments and shopping malls powered by nuclear power is the way to go.
Surface attractions for the tourists.
Bunch of Starships stationed on Mars used for local ferry service to nearby points of interests.
But it will be difficult for them to compete with the larger colony on the Moon.
Musk said there would be hundreds of cargo missions accomplished, before actual development of a man rated Starship vessel. Belly-flop aerobraking, and the subsequent transition to powered decent, likely pose the largest challenges to vehicle reuse. Ever view the “Adama Maneuver” from BSG for a preview?
The super booster is somewhat a known quantity, a larger version of current operational equipment. As long as the multi-engine system performs to plan, surpasses the USSR N-1‘s engine reliability, should be good to go.
https://youtu.be/evodPpqb9H4?t=145