Iniciativas Eco-responsables y RSE

🏨 ILUNION Hotels, part of the ONCE Social Group, is committed to inclusive tourism in Spain, with 60% of its workforce being people with disabilities or in vulnerable situations. In Bilbao, the company manages ILUNION Bilbao and ILUNION San Mamés, the latter being the first hotel in the Basque Country run as a Special Employment Center, with 80% of staff having disabilities and 15% in vulnerable situations. The Umániko restaurant inside the hotel has a 100% workforce from these groups. Bilbao, awarded as the best city for walking (World’s Best Cities 2024) and the first Spanish city in the Global Destination Sustainability ranking, boasts accessible tourist destinations like the Guggenheim Museum and San Mamés Stadium, among others. Teresa Zamora, ILUNION Hotels' Marketing and Communication Director, champions tourism that leaves no one behind. The company also produces "Soñadores," a series featuring real stories of its employees, with the second season opening episode featuring financial manager Nerea Goikoetxea.

💸 Artiem's "Habitación Solidaria" project, launched in June 2020, celebrates its fifth anniversary. The initiative donates 100% of booking income from each solidarity room across its five hotels in Menorca, Asturias, and Madrid, nearing a total of €400,000 raised. In December 2021, Artiem partnered with the Madrid Hotel Business Association (AEHM) to expand its reach, allowing any Spanish hotel to join the initiative. The project contributes to social responsibility by assisting vulnerable families, promoting sustainable prosperity, and encouraging a fair and inclusive tourism industry. Artiem is the first European hotel chain to earn the B Corp certification, cementing its commitment to a positive impact on both people and the planet.

🏖 Riu Hotels & Resorts opened the newly 4 stars superior Riu Palace La Mola in Formentera after a complete renovation, marking the first project directed by Luis and Roberto Riu Rodríguez, the fourth generation of the Riu family. The hotel, acquired in 1973, maintains 345 rooms, with 8 now being suites with Mediterranean views. The lobby and terrace expanded, and a new restaurant was added, totaling three. The gym, spa, and solarium with Balinese beds were renovated, and a new RIU Land Kid’s club was added, resulting in four pools. The hotel's renovation focused on sustainability, earning the Re Think Hotel award, including photovoltaic panels and other eco-friendly measures.

📌 Radisson Hotel Group enhances guest well-being with Radisson Brilliant Basics and the new Revitalize Rooms, featuring high-quality mattresses, pillows, and duvets plus Biow's sleep technology, available in European hotels including Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado and Radisson RED Madrid. Biow E-OX device, powered by plasma, aids in eliminating toxins and improving sleep and energy. DUX data reveals only one-third sleep better in hotels; Radisson aims to improve this statistic. Senior VP Cristina Serra welcomes the "new wellness era," while Biow founder Pedro Llana believes the technology transforms sleep into a regenerative experience.

💡 Hosteltur Academy launches a free online course funded by the EU to help hotels design circularity and sustainability plans using artificial intelligence. The course, "Introduction to Hotel Sustainability and Circularity Strategy," is 2.5 hours long, online, asynchronous, and free, covering sustainability, AI platform Quotta.AI, energy efficiency, water management, environmental compliance, and green marketing. It is taught by specialists Kelly Murillo and José María de Juan, and includes interviews with industry leaders. Accessible through Hosteltur.com/academy with an internet connection and basic computer knowledge.

🛠 On April 22, 2025, the importance of operational flexibility for industry adaptation and risk avoidance is discussed, highlighting ERP industrial solutions and MES software from Zucchetti Spain. Operational flexibility is the ability to adjust to demand changes, involving variables such as raw materials, labor, and machinery. Emphasizing technology, industries can redistribute resources, innovate, and enhance departmental collaboration. Benefits include improved efficiency, supply chain management, decision-making, and sustainable long-term growth. Technologies like IoT and real-time data analytics through Business Intelligence are essential. To maintain productivity, process standardization, modular equipment, and multi-functional production lines are key. ERP industrial solutions contribute by providing real-time data for production scheduling, inventory management, and operation insights.

🚢 Elena Seco García-Valdecasas, directora general de la Asociación de Navieros Españoles (ANAVE), declares maritime transport moves over 80% of international trade, emitting less than 3% of global GHG emissions, which is 11% of the transport sector's total. ANAVE has invested nearly €2 billion in emission reduction and energy efficiency technologies, cutting over 500,000 tons of CO2 annually. In 2024, 28 million travelers used ferries at Spanish ports, a 3% increase over the previous year. The investment of €450 million by 2030 is aimed to electrify docks for ferries, cruise ships, and containers at 48 state-owned ports, potentially creating over 1,000 jobs. The Grimaldi Terminal in Barcelona launched an OPS in March 2025, supplying 100% renewable electricity to ferries and cutting emissions and noise. The ferry passenger traffic between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands increased from 852,000 in 2019 to 1.223 million in 2024.

🏖 Mastercard study in France reveals 76% of 15,000 respondents plan to increase tourism spending, with one-third of French citizens intending to spend a minimum of €1,000 per person on travel this year. Despite public desire, France and Germany implement strict policies limiting air travel due to environmental reasons, leading to potential conflict between government actions and voter preferences. The Spanish government holds an ambiguous stance, with left-leaning pressures for a green agenda. European countries like France, Ireland, Netherlands, and Germany are expected to face challenges due to these conflicting views.

🌋 Ecologists urge Tenerife's Cabildo to protect Teide National Park from tourist damage. Jaime Coello, a director at an environmental foundation, criticizes both the high number of visitors reaching the summit and their disrespect for the environment. EuroNews reported Coello's concerns, highlighting inaction on the escalating situation. Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 meters, attracts three million annual visitors, making it Europe's most visited park. Access by car leads to frequent congestion and parking excess, contributing to the chaotic conditions.

😃 Finlandia named the world's happiest country for the eighth consecutive year in the World Happiness Report 2025, supported by the United Nations. The report, which assesses well-being perception in 147 countries, highlights "caring and sharing" as key happiness drivers. Finland scored an average of 7.7, leading Nordic countries, with Denmark (7.52) and Iceland (7.51) following. Spain ranked 38th with a score of 6.5, showing a decline over five years from 28th in 2020. Costa Rica and Mexico saw significant improvements, climbing six and fifteen places, respectively. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list.