Automatic

📆 Early hotel bookings in Spain for the upcoming three months hit 21%, suggesting a highly positive winter for the Spanish tourism sector amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East. A year ago, early bookings for the same period accounted for 11% but surged following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and subsequent conflict in Gaza. The upward trend in advance bookings, which has been rising since early September, reoccurs despite the ongoing conflict spreading to Lebanon. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on September 30 urged Spaniards in Lebanon to leave the country. Regional booking increases over the last year include Catalonia at +18%, Canarias +20.9%, and País Vasco +36%, while Andalucía saw a slight decline of -0.5%.

🏨 Antonio Catalán opened his first hotel in 1978, leading to the start of NH, which he led until its sale in 1997. Hotels 30 years ago focused on business travelers, offering a standardized product regardless of the destination. In 2013, Palladium Hotel Group's Only You aimed to mix clients with locals. Kike Sarasola, in 2014, launched his Be Mate apartments, attracting industry criticism then later adoption. The pandemic accelerated trends like "bleisure" and the development of "urban resorts". New models like coliving, flex living, and hybrid accommodations emerged, catering to more segmented demand. Luxury and lifestyle hotels are now distancing from standardization, focusing on local authenticity and sustainability. Investors are increasingly interested in new urban models like branded residences and student accommodations, with over €4 billion invested in 2023, 67% in vacation hotels. The article is from HOSTELTUR magazine's June 2024 issue, celebrating 30 years of publication.