Distribución y Revenue Management

🏖️ In 2024, Spanish travelers spent 18% at physical travel agencies, with many clients over 65, as per Braintrust. Ángel García Butragueño, Tourism Director at Braintrust, suggests agencies should become "travel creators" to capture the remaining 83% of the market. Elena García Donoso, fear management expert, emphasized understanding travelers’ motivations. Innovative models like Alberto Mendiola's telework-based Wamaw Travel, founded in 2022, save costs and invest in technology. Javier Urrutia, after 18 years at VECI, founded Noland Travel, focusing on specialized, tailor-made trips. Anna Villà continues her family's traditional agency, Villà Viatges, modernized with technology. Chema Gómez, CEO of Grupo Evento, plans a 10-year project for his team to take ownership, providing company longevity without generational succession.

💰 Booking Holdings achieved a net profit of $5.882 billion in 2024, a 37% increase over the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Almost 60% of the group's revenue now comes from 'Merchant revenues'. Net profits for 2022, 2023, and 2024 were $3.058 billion, $4.289 billion, and $5.882 billion respectively. Merchant revenue contribution to annual accounts rose from 42% in 2022 to 59.5% in 2024. CEO Glenn Fogel plans to harness artificial intelligence to improve traveler experiences. Booking Holdings may face a €413 million fine by Spain's CNMC, for which it accounted a loss of €486 million in 2023 and adjusted €72 million (down to €78 million) by June 30, 2024.

🏆 IAG's CEO Luis Gallego to announce outstanding 2024 economic results, surpassing rivals, on the upcoming Friday. Sales climbed by 8% to €31.7 billion, with profits rising 15% to €4.1 billion. Investors anticipate insights on Summer 2025, amidst concerns over cost surges and changes in consumer behavior noted by Tui and Jet2. London expects British Airways and Iberia to have performed well. Concerns exist over BA's loyalty system changes but remain minor compared to the group's overall success.

🏖 In Spain, 23.2 million international tourists traveled via tour operators in 2024, marking an 8.6% increase from 2023. These tourists spent 16% more daily than independent travelers. Spain welcomed 93.8 million international visitors in total, with 24.7% using tour operators. Despite this growth, 2024's figures still slightly trailed the pre-pandemic level of 23.5 million in 2019. Package travelers stayed an average of 6.3 days, less than the independent traveler's 7.5 days. Germany's tourism market notably recovered in 2025, with TUI Group expanding its package offerings. UK's Jet2 surpassed six million ATOL licenses in the past year, aiming for seven million in 2025.

📍 In the airline industry, "ancillary" revenues, once minor, now constitute 25-30% of total earnings, boosted by low-cost carriers' creativity. A study indicates checked luggage is the top ancillary service among 25% of low-cost passengers, followed by travel insurance and paid seat selection (23-24%). Delayed payments are used by 18% of travelers, and 20% opt for rental cars. Traditional airlines see paid seat selection as the most popular add-on, with travel insurance and additional luggage following. Delayed payments are more common than in low-cost carriers; however, only just over 10% purchase rental cars. Airlines globally offer unique products; Frontier has a 30-day unlimited flight pass, Ryanair's Family Plus ensures children sit with parents. Frontier and Spirit in the U.S. have 10 à la carte onboard products; Ryanair has nine, with the most combinations of priority services and luggage options.

💰 Imserso's social tourism program will undergo a price review next season, announced by director María Teresa Sancho at the CEOE Tourism Council meeting. Prices during the 2024/2025 season ranged from €124.68 for four-day stays in provincial capitals to €435.95 for ten-day stays in the Canary Islands with transport. Hoteliers complain that current rates, yielding €25-€26 per night, fall below the actual cost of around €34. A new tender for the upcoming season is anticipated, following Imserso's decision to not renew with Turismo social (Ávoris).

🍴 Dabiz Muñoz's restaurant DiverXO, located in the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding since its 2014 opening, has repeatedly gained international acclaim, including top rankings in "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" and winning "The Best Chefs Awards" for three consecutive years. Recently, Muñoz extended his partnership with NH for two more years, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the NH Collection Hotels & Resorts brand, known for prioritizing exceptional guest experiences. DiverXO is celebrated for its ever-evolving, boundary-pushing culinary philosophy.

🏖 Tripadvisor's 'Travel Through Life' study, based on surveys of over 6,700 travelers across countries like Australia, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US, categorizes tourists into eight segments according to life stages affecting travel decisions. University students take 1-5 trips annually, seeking adventure and nature on a budget. Newly engaged or married couples opt for exclusive, romantic trips, favoring luxury accommodations. First-time parents prioritize safety and family-friendly services. Experienced parents juggle family interests with cultural experiences, while young professionals blend business with leisure, valuing rest and convenience. Established professionals seek exclusive experiences, gastronomy, and premium services. Parents with independent children enjoy flexibility and off-season travel. Retirees prefer comfortable, accessible, extended stays and depend on reviews for planning. Catering to each group's unique preferences is key for the travel industry.

❄ Istanbul's Turkish Airlines hub, one of the world's largest, experienced chaos due to an intense snowfall, resulting in hundreds of flight cancellations. The turmoil started on Thursday and was significant on Friday, with service normalization expected from Saturday, despite forecasts of possible new snowfalls. On Friday, 45% of flights were canceled at the city's second airport, with at least 30% expected to be suspended today, and slightly fewer issues on Sunday. Accommodating thousands of stranded passengers, especially those on connecting flights without a single ticket, has been very challenging.

🏨 Meliá Hotels International is set to incorporate a hotel located opposite Plaza de España and Parque de las Estaciones in central Palma, previously part of UR Hotels. The hotel Palacio Avenida, a 4-star boutique with 68 rooms, opened in 2009 in a building from 1942, which housed the historic Cine Avenida of Palma, restored by architect Bruno Borrione. It features a bar, restaurant, and three modular conference rooms for up to 80 people. The brand INNSiDE by Melia may be chosen for this hotel, known for urban boutique hotels. Meliá now strengthens its Mallorca presence, with 24 establishments on the island.