Automatic

🏡 AEHM and Connecting Heads open applications for the Traveling for Happiness Awards until May 2, aiming to honor social and environmental commitment practices in the tourism sector. This fifth edition introduces a new category, “Preservación de fauna y flora,” and new jury members including Juan Abarca, Juan Carlos Delrieu, and Javier Zori. The jury deliberates in May, announces winners on June 2, and awards are presented at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid on June 12. There are eight categories, including sustainable gastronomy and decarbonization. Winners receive a physical award and certification, media publicity, and promotional opportunities.

🌍 Travelzoo survey of Spanish members reveals trends: 88% prefer off-peak travel for authentic experiences; 64% open to less crowded alternatives. Travel plans include 1.8 international leisure trips in 2025; 90% would book an extra trip for good deals. Sustainability matters, with 60% traveling off-peak to lessen environmental impact, 71% respecting local culture, and 55% supporting local businesses. Popular 2025 destinations: Italy, France, USA, Japan, UK, with Portugal, Germany, Greece, Egypt, Argentina, Costa Rica, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Mexico also favored.

🏨 Meliá's success largely attributed to its post-Covid strategy leading to a portfolio valuation of €5.285 billion. RevPAR increased by 10.7% primarily due to a 75% improvement in ADR, while occupancy levels are slightly below 2019 figures. EBITDA margin over revenue up at 26.5% (+129 basis points). Customer satisfaction, measured by NPS, rose to 59 across the hotel portfolio, with Paradisus by Meliá brand increasing by 10 points. MeliáRewards loyalty program boasts over 17 million members, accounting for 85% of direct sales. Meliá's expansion focuses on traditional and emerging destinations like Albania, Saudi Arabia, and the Indian Ocean, plus the luxury segment. With 72 hotels and over 13,000 rooms in development, 25 new agreements are expected in 2023, targeting the Mediterranean, America, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Argentina. Luxury hotels, 15% of room count, contribute 40% operationally. A repositioning effort in the last two years involved 40 hotels and an investment over €400 million, resulting in a significant average rate increase for both vacation and city hotels.