Automatic

🏨 Mexican hotels lead with 50,000 rooms in 125 properties, followed by the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Key European markets include Germany, Italy, and Portugal, with Minor Hotels Europe & Americas and Meliá as major operators. The United States ranks fourth, predominantly managed by Barceló, handling 82% of Spanish hotel rooms there. At the bottom are Jamaica and Morocco, with Haiti and Mozambique highlighting the diversification with a single Spanish hotel each. José Elías invests in a new 100-meter, 520-room hotel skyscraper in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, set for completion by late 2025. Silken Hoteles eyes a 2025 expansion with a 13% growth in 2024, reaching over €130 million in sales, focusing on Morocco and Portugal for internationalization.

🏖 During the International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur), the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality and Sustainability (ICTES) awarded the Q Awards, recognizing tourism sector entities supporting Quality Q and Sustainable Tourism S. This year marks ICTES's 25th anniversary. Awards went to Jerez City Council, Benidorm and Costa Blanca Hotel Business Association (HOSBEC), Axarquía Routes (Málaga), and journalist Carles Lamelo. Special 25th-anniversary awards were given to Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Apartments (CEHAT), Intelier Hotels, and Astún Ski Station (Huesca). The event, attended by over a thousand professionals, was held at Madrid City Hall's Crystal Gallery. ICTES President Miguel Mirones highlighted the importance of business associations, and the minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, emphasized Spain's leading tourism role. A new EU directive for 2024 mandates certified sustainability through independent audits; over 600 Spanish companies and destinations are now certified.