Distribución y Revenue Management

🏖 Imserso's social tourism program faced complaints from retirees about the lack of available spots since its start on September 23. A new digital tool on Turismosocial.com now allows real-time availability checks for its three modalities, using a color code system: green for available slots, blue for waitlist, and red for sold out. Highest availability is found in Catalonia and Valencia, with some spots in Andalusia or Murcia, while Baleares or Canarias only offer waitlist options.

📌 Jon Arriaga, president of Dit Gestión, affirms that despite Volotea's delicate economic situation, associated agencies continue to sell its flights, citing the airline's good performance in the low-cost segment. In 2024, Dit Gestión experienced growth in sales and consolidation, against economic challenges. Their number of associated agencies has increased moderately, with a significant boost in the Portuguese market. Pre-COVID levels of advance bookings have returned, even surpassing 2023, with many travel packages for Summer and Easter already closed. Spanish citizens are increasingly resorting to deferred payment systems and loans for travel. Despite a precarious economy, Dit Gestión anticipates another strong year of sales for agencies in 2025, although with concerns over low profit margins for travel agents.

✈ EasyJet plans to offer over 3.6 million seats for flights to and from Spain for the winter 2025/26 season, a 23% increase from the 2.8 million seats in 2024/25. The airline will expand from 15,000 to approximately 20,000 flights, adding five new routes, including four to the Canary Islands and one from Barcelona. New connections include Lanzarote to Birmingham and London Southend, Gran Canaria to Liverpool and Milan Linate, and a Barcelona to London Southend route starting October 26-27 and November 1, respectively. Globally, EasyJet will have 39.2 million seats available for the winter period, with tickets on sale for travel between December 15, 2025, and March 22, 2026.

💰 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.

🏖️ 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.

🏆 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.