Miguel Praga

📌 The European Parliament's draft report on the Combined Travel Directive poses a threat to the liquidity of travel agencies and tour operators, disregarding the sector's concerns. ECTAA and ACAVE express astonishment at the potential limitation of advance payments to 25% for combined trips, which could financially weaken operators, especially in the first half of the year. They argue against the proposed 72-hour rule to define a tourist package on the same website, calling for a balanced reform, noting that combined trips account for less than 15% of travel services sold in the EU.

💰 In the upcoming season, hotels, travel agencies, and companies eyeing the management of Imserso's senior tourism program face uncertainty due to a potential funding freeze at €72 million for the third year. With no budget increase, hotels earn €25-26 per night versus the actual cost of €34, and agencies receive €14.50 per sold spot. Adjudicating companies struggle with hotel agreements, as the number of participating accommodations declines, impacting quality. The next tender for the program management is expected within one to two months.

✈ Level, an airline from IAG group, now offers additional tourism services such as hotel bookings and car rentals via Booking on its website. After separating from Iberia in December, services are available in cities like Barcelona, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and destinations in connection with Vueling and Iberia. Ancillary Manager Jacobo Gómez-Ballesteros aims to enhance customer experience. From March 30, San Francisco will join Level's summer destination network.