Distribución y Revenue Management

🏨 Cristina Blanco and Cristina Santamaría from RateGain presented a masterclass on "How to boost your hotel's direct sales" at Updating Hotelero 2025, organized by HOSTELTUR tourism news. They discussed key aspects to enhance this channel without neglecting others.

💰 Grupo Hotusa repaid €20.5 million early to the Solvency Support Fund for Strategic Companies (FASEE), managed by SEPI, including interest. The hotel company has now returned €128.5 million of the €241 million pandemic aid received. Their latest repayment increases FASEE's recovered funds to €745 million, 27.7% of the €2.681 billion allocated to strategic companies. Other tourism firms with outstanding SEPI debt include Air Europa, Plus Ultra, and Air Nostrum, among others.

💰 All Iron RE I Socimi's revenues grew by 53% to €7.6 million in 2024, with three new assets in operation. Announcing a €10 million capital increase, focusing on four Spanish cities. EBITDA doubled to €4.8 million, a 63% margin. Net profit (excluding asset revaluation) rose by 57% to €3.5 million from 2023. FFO reached €3.74 million (€0.25/share). The portfolio has 19 assets, 11 operational, 5 under construction, valued at €305 million. Average occupancy in 2024 was 85%, a 5% increase from 2023, with a 6% rise in average apartment price to €114. Sales margin was 61%. Expansion plans target Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Bilbao, with 5 new assets expected by late 2025. Revenue is set to triple and EBITDA to quadruple in three years, with projected dividends of €1.8-2/share and an estimated share value of €19-20 by 2028.

🏩 Welcome Incoming Services, a division of Ávoris, will start operations in Costa Rica on May 1, focusing on managing Travelplan's operations initially. Lynnette Ramsay will lead the office, marking the division's expansion to 19 offices across six countries. Ávoris aims to open services to other international clients, enhancing its portfolio in the coming months.

🇨🇷 Welcome Incoming Services, part of Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, launched their new subsidiary in Costa Rica on May 1. Initially handling operations for Travelplan, they aim to offer services to other international clients. The Costa Rican team is led by Lynnette Ramsay. With over 25 years of experience, the company operates in Spain, France, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and India. Now, with 19 offices in six countries, they are a leading service provider for international tour operators.

📈 Alberto Ferreyra, CEO of SDC Kapital and SDC Analistas, discussed the potential of socimis (REITs) in facilitating the expansion of hotel chains in an interview with Miguel Salom, managing partner at The Hotel Factory. The conversation took place at Updating Hotelero 2025, organized by HOSTELTUR. Socimis are presented as a successful investment model for the hotel industry.

💳 In April 2025, Smart Cards are highlighted as an effective tool for tracking transactions and setting spending limits for business travel. They offer secure payment processing, fraud prevention, and budget control, integrating seamlessly with travel management software to automate expense tracking and reimbursements. Companies can manage travel expenses, categorize spending, and monitor real-time transaction reports, streamlining administration and complying with corporate travel policies. Zucchetti Spain introduces ZTravel as a solution to integrate Smart Cards and reduce administrative burdens.

🏘 Pangea The Travel Store grew from 4 to 18 sales points in one year, targeting over 30 by 2025 in Spain, and opening their first store in Mexico City's Polanco district on May 29. CEO David Hernández projects a 50% growth over the previous year, surpassing €100 million in revenue, excluding Mexico. The first quarter showed a 35% increase from 2024. They've launched Quadrant, a flexible technology platform for agencies, post-Fitur trial since March 31.

🏖 External factors may impact tourism in 2023, including geopolitical and economic shifts related to Donald Trump's second term, tariffs, and global price increases. Consumer confidence fragility could affect key destinations like Spain. The challenges will be discussed on Hosteltur TV's last episode of the season, featuring Helena Murano (Arcano Partners), Onofre Martorell (Baleares Economists), Ramón Juan (CaixaBank), and Juan Buades (Buades Legal). The episode airs on fibwiTV across the Balearic Islands, Thursday at 21:30, also available via streaming and on Hosteltur TV's YouTube channel on Fridays.

📌 Destinia joins the legal action against Booking following a CNMC-imposed fine, alleging customer theft resulting in up to 20% traffic loss. The OTA battles unfair competition and supports over 400 hotels in a collective lawsuit seeking compensation for harm from controversial parity clauses. Booking, fined €413 million for market dominance abuse in Spain, appeals and halts the penalty pending Audiencia Nacional's decision.