Distribución y Revenue Management

🏩 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.

🍴 Creating a business plan is crucial for opening a restaurant. Bookline advises hundreds of entrepreneurs on cost optimization and efficient operation plans. Key steps include defining the restaurant's purpose, ideal customer, gastronomic concept, studying competition, marketing strategies (including social media and SEO), initial investment, cost analysis, team experience, and important pre-opening milestones. Use simple spreadsheets for financial planning and note that investors back people, not just ideas. A comprehensive business plan serves as a daily guide and can attract investment.

🏢 Azulmarino targets strengthening its presence in Madrid and Barcelona for the current year, avoiding mass office openings. The company led by Gabriel Subías ended 2024 with 194 sales points, including 162 owned (136 Azulmarino, 19 Grand Azulmarino, five Viajes Cibeles, two The Sphere) and 29 Azulmarino franchises. The group aims to approach 100 offices in three years, having opened 15 Azulmarino agencies, nine Grand Azulmarino, and one The Sphere atelier in Madrid in 2024.

📈 Gonzalo García-Lago of Azora and Tomás Neuhaus of Kartesia discussed hotel management models and growth strategies at the "Updating Hotelero 2025" event organized by HOSTELTUR. The focus was on the increasing value of hotel management firms to investors, in a panel moderated by Miguel Salom of The Hotel Factory.