Distribución y Revenue Management

💰 World2Meet (W2M), owned by Iberostar, aims to manage Imserso's travel program, potentially entering the public tender in May. W2M's strategy—going solo or forming alliances—is undecided until tender details are released in the coming weeks. Competing for the lucrative contract are Ávoris, the incumbent with a sanction for unfulfilled promises, Mundiplan, Nautalia (Travel Live), and Senior Plan, leveraging artificial intelligence for a quality bid.

🚩 Tourist numbers in the Balearic Islands have grown significantly over the past 20 years, despite political rhetoric. Tourists, previously confined to specific zones, are now pervasive across local areas, causing a sense of overcrowding. Modern changes, such as private homes doubling as hotels and tourists renting cars instead of using coaches, have exacerbated the impact of tourism. Unmanaged urban traffic and the influx of tourism employees seeking housing have also contributed to the saturation. Even without an increase in visitor numbers, these factors would intensify the perceived invasion.

💸 Hotel Villa Huapi, Argentina, used AskFlow to automate reservation follow-ups, sending 300+ messages in a month, achieving a 19% response rate and a 19x ROI for direct bookings. Los Lagos Resort Hotel, Paraguay, automated messaging with 800+ messages in a month, resulting in an 18% response rate and a 13x ROI in the first month. Other Latin American hotels using AskFlow saw up to 55x ROI with response rates over 42%. WhatsApp, key for bookings in the region, enhances customer engagement and conversion opportunities.

📰 Aude Naveilhan, Country Manager France for Mirai, discusses the enhanced booking engine on "10 minutes pour un hôtelier" podcast with Tony Loeb. Key updates include a quicker load time—3x faster, an interface designed to boost conversion rates, 3D immersion to showcase rooms, full customization for each hotel, and advanced sales tools like upsell and price comparison.

💸 The Spanish tourism industry is poised for economic growth, with a projected 3.2% GDP increase in 2024 and a record 94 million tourists in the previous year. Youroom, managing bookings for 11 small independent hotels in Spain, aims to expand to Germany, North America, and Latin America, overcoming operational and financial constraints with the help of AI-powered digital solutions from Connectycs and Mastercard Strive. Integration took less than 48 hours, allowing for global market access and ensuring timely payments with Connectycs' Finpay. The Mastercard Strive and Connectycs partnership aims to support 10% of Spanish hotels with under 100 rooms, endorsed by the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH), democratizing technology for small businesses.

🏡 Único Hotels has acquired Palacio Jardón in Asturias, set to become a luxury boutique hotel by 2028. Led by architect Joaquín Noval, the project encompasses a 16,000 m² area including the main building and auxiliary structures. The 1914-1917 constructed palace will transform into a 24-room hotel, integrating a glass-enclosed spa with a pool, multifunctional event spaces, sustainable sports facilities, and energy-efficient systems. Único Hotels currently operates six luxury hotels and recently added Finca La Bobadilla.

🏠 World2Meet (W2M) participated in BTL 2025 in Lisbon from March 12-16, featuring two stands of 600 square meters each. The event showcased their brands and included 60 customer service stations with 45 travel agencies participating. They aimed to strengthen their market presence after reporting €200 million in revenue for 2024 with double-digit operating profit, and are targeting over 20% growth in 2025. World2Fly, W2M's airline, operates from Lisbon to Punta Cana and Varadero.

🏨 According to Forbes, 72% of consumers engage only with personalized marketing messages. Guest loyalty means not just offering comfort but creating personalized experiences and making guests feel valued. Loyal customers not only ensure recurring revenue but are also likely to recommend the hotel, which can be more cost-effective than acquiring new ones—up to five times less expensive. Technologies like Mews facilitate stress-free check-ins and personalized interactions, enhancing guest loyalty without extra effort. Make guests feel at home, remember their preferences, and they'll likely return, becoming brand ambassadors without additional marketing costs.

🏦 Ávoris expanded into Brazil and Argentina in early 2024 via a partnership with CVC. The travel group, led by Juan Carlos González and Vicente Fenollar, aims to grow in Latin America, starting in Mexico due to its air connectivity with Spain and affluent tourist base. Having launched in Italy in January with Travelplan and Welcomebeds, plans are set for future launches in France and Morocco, replicating their Italian strategy based on initial flight departures from Rome, Milan, and Venice, followed by Florence, Turin, and Naples.

🏡 Alda Hotels, after a record 2024 with 25 new additions reaching nearly 100 properties, will focus on segmenting its portfolio by brands in 2025 and invest over 1 million euros in technological enhancements. Alberto Rodríguez Boo, founder and CEO, details plans for touch screen management systems, remote receptionist interaction, and rebranding. The portfolio, exceeding 80 establishments, includes hotels, hostels, apartments, and shelters across Spain and the Dominican Republic. A new opening in Jaca is planned for April 1.