Divers

📈 En 2026, el sector turístico español enfrenta el absentismo laboral y el aumento de impuestos, según Exceltur. Las ausencias laborales afectan la productividad, y el aumento del 4,1% en viviendas turísticas genera tensiones. Aunque 15,863 alojamientos menos se registraron en 25 ciudades entre julio y noviembre, persisten preocupaciones por masificación, costos y política. Sin embargo, AI y mejoras de productos pueden impulsar resultados.

IAG7 Viajes, a Spanish travel group, partners with Moroccan agency Caddy Voyages in January 2026 to enhance its international reach. The strategic alliance aims to create a travel platform connecting Europe and Africa. IAG7 will provide travel management expertise, technology, and supplier networks. Both companies aim to boost customer flow and develop new business lines. Caddy Voyages retains independence while leveraging IAG7's support to expand in Morocco and globally.

🛩 Una pasajera ebria obligó a desviar un vuelo de Ryanair el 13 de enero de 2026, de Marrakech a Barcelona. La situación llevó a un aterrizaje de emergencia en Fez. La mujer, detenida durante el despegue, mostraba un comportamiento temerario y amenazante. Tras la intervención de las autoridades, el avión reanudó su viaje, llegando a Barcelona con un retraso de aproximadamente dos horas.

✈️ Plus Ultra, in January 2026 in Madrid, added an Airbus A330-343 from Iberojet, increasing its fleet to seven A330s. This aircraft carries 299 passengers, with 36 business and 263 economy seats, and uses efficient Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 772B engines. Plus Ultra boosts connectivity with Lima (6 flights/week) and Buenos Aires (4 flights/week starting spring 2026). The airline aims for 10 aircraft to expand in Latin America.

🌏 Venezuela is experiencing uncertainty after Nicolás Maduro's departure, but Spanish hotel chains report normal operations. Hesperia World operates five hotels with 1,631 rooms, while Meliá Hotels International and Faranda Hotels & Resorts have 666 and 543 rooms, respectively. No incidents have been reported by Meliá, which has been in Venezuela since 1985. Iberia and Plus Ultra have suspended flights between Madrid and Caracas until January 31, with Air Europa extending cancellations to February.

🛩 Incidente en el aeropuerto de Alicante cuando un Boeing 737 Max de Ryanair golpeó la pista con la cola durante el despegue hacia Lisboa. Sin consecuencias graves, la tripulación decidió regresar tras verificaciones al noroeste del aeropuerto. Aterrizaron sin incidentes en la pista 10. Controladores informaron a través de su cuenta de X.

⚽ Simeone's behavior, regarding Vinicius Jr., has sparked controversy, reminding many of his reputation as a provocateur. Although known for his coaching at Atlético Madrid, in 2021, he was unexpectedly named a UNWTO ambassador by former Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili at Fitur. The decision, seemingly influenced by connections with Atlético's president Cerezo, has faced criticism for lacking genuine contributions to tourism, unlike figures like Del Bosque or Ancelotti.

🛩 Ryanair, November 2025, Faro, Portugal: A Boeing 737 operated four commercial flights after a hard landing on November 15, 2025, with a 1.69G force impact. Post-landing, it flew until November 16 without detecting damages, later identified as a pod strike on engine #2. Inspections failed due to the damage's location. Declared Aircraft on Ground (AOG) on November 17, and stayed grounded until November 22 for repairs. Ryanair plans to enhance post-landing inspection protocols.

🌴 Joan Trian Riu, director ejecutivo de Riu, discusses ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting the tourism sector in Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico due to Donald Trump's policies. Although a partial Caribbean airspace closure occurred during an operation in Venezuela, no cancellations have been reported. In 2025, despite a hurricane in Jamaica, European operations had a record year, while American operations were impacted by uncertainty. Expectations for 2026 reflect continued growth.

✈ Vueling, led by Carolina Martinoli, will present its "Rumbo 2035" plan on January 14 in Barcelona. The plan focuses on five pillars: fleet, network, passengers, profitability, and digitalization. Key change: transitioning from a 100% Airbus fleet to include 50 Boeing 737s, starting in October 2026. The current fleet has 130 Airbus A320s. IAG, Vueling's parent company, ordered the Boeings. Iberia, another IAG airline, announced a €6 billion expansion in June.