Distribución y Revenue Management

🏨 Daniel Sánchez, Chief Revenue Officer at Paraty Tech, spoke on November 21 at TecnoHotel OnTour in Benidorm about implementing effective hotel loyalty strategies. He highlighted the evolution of loyalty programs, beginning with Holiday Inn's point club in 1972 and Marriott's Frequent Traveller program, now Bonvoy. Sánchez outlined six loyalty models: privilege programs, member discounts, membership levels, accumulated wallet, in-stay redeemable points, and customized programs. He emphasized the need for clear objectives, technological support, and operational impact assessment, suggesting starting simple and avoiding overcomplication.

🏨 Alex Robinson from STR highlighted the robust growth in Spain's hotel sector during the Annual Hotel Investment Conference by Cushman & Wakefield in Madrid. RevPAR in European hotels is rising at a single-digit rate since July 2023, except for a 10% increase in September, while Spain has seen double-digit growth except in April and August. The ADR has surged by 41.7% (€48) since 2019 vs. a 1% occupancy increase. Luxury and budget hotels are performing well without needing maximum occupancy. Madrid, Alicante, and Oviedo lead occupancy growth by 5%, whereas San Sebastián saw an 8% decline due to increased offerings. Málaga, Valencia, and Alicante lead occupancy rates for the year, reaching averages of 83%, 81%, and 75%. ADR shows signs of deceleration in 2024 compared to 2023, with Madrid at +15%, followed by Málaga (+13%), and Sevilla, Alicante, and Canarias at +11%. The leading destinations by ADR are Marbella (€317), Ibiza (€277), and Barcelona (€194). Projections indicate Madrid and Barcelona will continue to see RevPAR growth into 2025, although at a slower pace.

✈️ South acuerda con sindicatos CCOO y UGT para aplicar un ERE que afecta a 1.499 de 8.424 empleados de Iberia, incluyendo 570 administrativos y 905 de servicios auxiliares. Empleados de 60 años o más al 31 de diciembre de 2024 podrán prejubilarse antes del primer trimestre de 2025, recibiendo 50% del salario y cotizaciones (4,70%) hasta los 65 años. El ERE expira el 31 de diciembre de 2026, con un plazo de adhesión del 11 al 27 de diciembre.

🏘 Pangea The Travel Store expanded with a new store in León, reaching ten locations in Spain. The store is located at Calle del Carmen nº 9, León and led by Avelino del Riego of DUAOC. CEO David Hernández aims to offer an exceptional travel shopping experience with specialized travel consultants. Pangea's current Spanish presence includes four flagships in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, and stores in Valladolid, Oviedo, Girona, Córdoba, Tenerife, and León.

🏖 Ávoris promotes remaining Imserso trip vacancies despite complaints of rapid sell-out. Two options offered: cultural circuits for 6 days/5 nights at €293.16 and nature tourism for 5 days/4 nights at €286.82. Available departures in December, January, and February for various routes including Ávila to Badajoz, Madrid to Alicante, and Badajoz to Cádiz.

💾 On November 21st, the Gran Hotel Bali hosted TecnoHotel OnTour Benidorm, featuring Alberto Plaza from IDeas Revenue Management. Although most attendees were aware of Revenue Management Systems (RMS), few used them. Despite obstacles such as budget and cultural resistance, Plaza argued that RMS implementation can enhance forecast precision by 2%, potentially increasing net profit by 3%. Time savings, inventory optimization, better guest mix management, and operational profit boosts—with 96% of users noting significant profitability increases, including 33% reporting over 10% improvements—were highlighted as key reasons to invest in RMS.

📈 Ávoris, led by Juan Carlos González, is distributing its vast wholesale network's products through independent travel agencies via the new Ávoris Store platform. This includes services from Travelplan, Jolidey, Special Tours, LePlan & Touring Club, Viva Tours, and Welcomebeds. The platform aims to streamline sales and prevent sales loss to competitors, following the complex integration of Globalia's travel brands like Halcón and Travelplan. However, Catai remains absent from Ávoris Store.

📈 Seven sovereign wealth funds invested €7.3 billion in various sectors of the Spanish economy from 2023 to 2024, majorly in renewable energy and digital infrastructure, with significant stakes in real estate and hospitality. GIC of Singapore and ADIA of Abu Dhabi led in the hotel sector, signaling Spain's global appeal. Tourism recovery post-pandemic saw hotel investment in Spain hit €4.25 billion in 2023, selling 171 hotels and 21,748 rooms. SWFs, particularly GIC and ADIA, executed major transactions, with ADIA acquiring 17 hotels for about €600 million and partnering with Meliá Hotels International for a joint venture valued at €1 billion. GIC bought a 35% stake in Hotel Investment Partners from Blackstone, holding a portfolio of 72 hotels.

🏨 Hotel Investment Partners (HIP), managed by Blackstone and GIC, expands its Greek portfolio with three hotels in Athens, Rhodes, and Halkidiki, totaling 10 properties and 2,641 rooms in Greece. The Grand Hyatt Athens, recently renovated in 2023, offers 548 rooms, 56 suites, a spa, gym, four pools, and MICE facilities measuring 4,435 m2, including 30 meeting rooms and a ballroom for 2,550 guests. The Sunprime Miramare Beach in Rhodes, a 5-star resort with 174 rooms, and the Alexander The Great Beach Hotel in Halkidiki with 208 rooms will undergo sustainability-focused renovations and repositioning, operated by Mitsis Group.

🏨 ACHM Hotels by Marriott incorporated El Autor Hotel Madrid into Marriott International's Autograph Collection, located on Calle Zorrilla. Millenium Hospitality Real Estate acquired the 19th-century building at Calle Zorrilla No. 19 in 2022 for €30 million, set to open in Q4 as the third Autograph Collection hotel in Madrid. The hotel features 7 floors, a century-old elevator, original wooden staircase, 50 rooms, an indoor pool, a gym, and El Pimiento Verde restaurant offering a blend of traditional and contemporary flavors. The Autograph Collection is Marriott International's premium portfolio with a global presence.