Automatic

💰 Hotel bookings in Spain to rise by 15% during Christmas, despite a 7% increase in rates. Foreign travelers will make up 51% of the guests, a decrease of 18% from last year, while domestic tourism grows by 32%. Average stay will be 2.65 days with bookings made 60.32 days in advance. The average daily rate (ADR) is up from €187.31 in 2023 to €200.73. Globally, Germany leads with a 43% increase in bookings, the UK with 24%, and the USA with 22%.

🏥 Imma Satorras, with over 17 years of experience, led Hosteltur Academy's masterclass on "Universal Tourism and Accessibility: A Commitment of the Hotel Sector." It addresses the importance of creating inclusive experiences in hospitality. In Spain, the National Institute of Statistics reports over 4.3 million people living with some degree of disability. The class highlights accessibility as a strategic investment, not an extra cost, offering benefits like customer loyalty, increased profitability, and improved brand image. Practical solutions include adapted infrastructure, supportive technology, staff training, and designing calming environments. Satorras emphasized that embracing accessibility aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urged the tourism industry to actively choose inclusion for a sustainable and profitable business model.

🏖 Ramón Aragonés, CEO of Minor Hotels Europe & América, was awarded the Hosteltur Personalidad Turística 2024 on December 18. He canceled a €500 million ICO credit swiftly post-pandemic and will retire in January 2025 after over two decades. Spain’s 400,000 touristic accommodations saw a 16% increase from last year; Madrid's supply rose 11.5% in four years, while Barcelona's fell by 43%. Spanish tourism in 2024 is hitting record numbers, offering a chance to shift towards sustainable, competitive tourism.