Distribución y Revenue Management

🔎 The UCO is set to deliver the final report on the Air Europa bailout case (Caso Begoña) to Judge Juan Carlos Peinado of Madrid's Court No. 41, to determine if there was influence peddling by President's wife, Begoña Gómez. The report analyses the €475 million state aid to Air Europa. Gómez had secret meetings with Globalia CEO Javier Hidalgo on June 24 and July 16, 2020, before the government created a €10 billion fund, from which the aid came.

📈 Beroni, since 1987, launches Smart Business, a new division aimed at traveltech leadership under the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. Toni Salord, with a background in Barceló Hotel Group, Viajes Magón, and World2Meet (W2M), leads as Director of Finance and Smart Business. The division offers full administrative, fiscal, and accounting outsourcing, real-time data monitoring, business process automation, and AI-based customer management. Beroni's existing products include Beroni management software for 300 travel agencies, Wasabi-s online booking for 900 agencies and 6 management groups, Enjoy Experience marketplace, and Beroni Global Solution (BGS) with Sign Contract cloud platform. CEO Josep Bellés emphasizes Smart Business's role in growth and strategic diversification.

🏨 At the Updating Hotelero 2025 event, organized by HOSTELTUR, experts like Sarah Despradel and Federico Crudo discussed hotel distribution, advocating for a healthy mix of channels, including tour operators, OTAs, and direct sales. They highlighted the importance of equilibrium and strategic partnerships for distribution success and mentioned the concept of "surgical disparity" to tactically break price parity in favor of driving direct web traffic. The approach aims to differentiate products and effectively compete against the significant marketing spend of large OTAs.

🏖 Tourmundial, exceeding €200 million annually, aims to boost margins affected by inflation, price wars, and low-cost senior programs. After a successful 2024 pilot, Viajes El Corte Inglés' Tourmundial Premium, launched recently, targets quality and higher agency revenue. The platform and a dedicated booking department support over 70 destinations for 2025, mainly long-haul to Asia, America, Africa, with a higher average ticket than conventional products and featuring unique "Viajes de Autor," "Elegidos," and "Cruceros Celebrity.

📍 In 2024, 97% of international tourists reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their trips to Spain, according to Turespaña's survey. The study was based on 20,666 interviews over three months. Satisfaction increased by 3.5 points since 2022, with 66.2% very satisfied in 2024. Gastronomic tourism achieved the highest satisfaction at 70%. Tourists from Mexico (79.5%), Brazil (79.4%), Colombia (78.2%), and the USA (77.1%) were the most satisfied. Over 56% plan to return within 12 months, notably 81% of Irish and over 76% of British tourists. Top destinations include Andalucía, Cantabria, and the Canary Islands.

🏖️ Comunidad de Madrid's "Rutas Culturales para Mayores" program reaches its 20th edition, with the calendar from April 2025 to March 2026. This year, it offers 350,000 spots, an increase of 25,000 new places, and 1,413 scheduled routes. Registrations opened on March 10. Travel options include both national and international destinations, ranging from Islas Cíes to South Korea. Prices start at 350 euros for short trips and can go up to 1,995 euros for longer international journeys, including accommodation, full board, and guided excursions. Reservations can be made through seven travel agencies.

💰 Viajes El Corte Inglés launches "Jóvenes +60" campaign targeting travelers over 60 years, competing with Imserso. Offers include domestic coastal and inland destinations in Spain, such as Costa del Sol, Costa Brava, Cádiz, Huelva, Almería, Canary and Balearic Islands. International options span Portugal, Italy, France, Norway, Egypt's Nile cruises, Canada, and America's east coast, plus Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises. Promotion valid until April 6, 2025, for travel between May 5 and October 15, 2025, features up to €500 in digital vouchers, 10% discounts, and payment facilities.

🚀 Hotels and airlines adapt prices according to customer payment capabilities. Clients from wealthier countries use VPNs to simulate connections from different locations for lower prices. In the U.S., customers from high-income areas like Silicon Valley encountered prices 71% higher than those in Phoenix, Arizona, as stated by computer magazine specialist Sam Singleton of PCWorld. Northern European airlines offer cheaper flights for Spanish customers, while some Spanish airlines provide lower business class fares for flights booked in Tunisia or through a Tunisian IP than from France or most European countries.

🏠 Castilla Termal closed 2024 with record occupation and turnover: a 17% increase in occupation across five establishments to an average of 60%, with a peak of 73% at Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma, and a 26% increase in turnover reaching €38 million, marking a 60% rise in the past six years. In September 2023, Castilla Termal Brihuega, their second 5-star hotel, opened in Brihuega (Guadalajara), boosting the staff by 12% to over 400 employees. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Castilla Termal is opening its third 5-star hotel, Castilla Termal Palacio de Avellaneda in Peñaranda de Duero (Burgos), and is implementing AI in operations in partnership with Founderz.

📌 CEAV President Carlos Garrido reports positive growth in travel agencies despite market concentration. Recent actions against Real Decreto 933/2021 include a non-binding motion for repeal passed by the Senate on February 10 and ongoing discussions with government representatives. Agencies struggle with SES Hospedajes technical issues while attempting to comply with the new decree. Despite industry consolidation, new agencies are opening, with over 67,000 workers in the sector as of last May. CEAV's training programs aim to retain talent amidst staff shortages. 2024 closed with €30 billion in revenue, a 10% increase from 2023, and a moderate growth forecast of 5% for 2025. CEAV continues to strive for sector unity and address agencies' challenges.