Iniciativas Eco-responsables y RSE

🏡 José Manuel Camarero inaugurated the ITH TechYRoom 2.0 project at Caro Hotel in València on 07.04.25, with over 20 tech companies, 40% being Valencian, enhancing the sustainability of the hotel industry. Initially launched in Benidorm in December, the project now in València aims to lead innovations in tourism, increasing Valencian companies' involvement by 23%. TechYRoom 2.0 expands from a single room to encompass the entire hotel ecosystem, aligning with sustainability and innovation goals.

🎢 Travelzoo survey finds 70% of Spanish non-cruisers interested in cruising by 2025-2026, with 68% having cruised before, 51% in the last three years. Key decision factors: itinerary, price, no-flight embarkation, ship type, and cruise line reputation. Unique experiences and cultural exploration are in demand, with family-friendly and adventure activities increasing. Luxury cruises are preferred by 66%, with all-inclusive options favored by 55%, and smaller ships for intimacy. Sustainability and local community support are crucial, with 51% valuing local food and drink sourcing. Top destinations: Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, European river cruises, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Egypt, and the Nile, with interest in world cruises, the Pacific, Asia, Canada, Alaska, Australia, and New Zealand.

🏨 The Palmira Isabela hotel in Santa Ponsa was fully renovated and reopened in 2024 with upgraded facilities, increasing from 156 to 182 rooms. HM Isabela, now catering only to adult guests, features an outdoor pool, Mediterranean buffet restaurant, Irish pub with beach views, and a gym with an outdoor area. The hotel showcases a mural by local artist Joan Aguiló, emphasizing art, environmental responsibility, sustainability, and energy efficiency as part of The Planet by HM Hotels program.

📍 In Mallorca, traffic reaches over 1.3 million daily movements during peak season, with more than 75,000 rental cars on the roads. The Consell de Mallorca aims to limit non-resident vehicle entry and set a rental car quota, while introducing shuttle buses to natural areas, as in Formentor. Barcelona's Project Zona Bus 4.0 plans to increase parking fees for tourist buses from 20 to 80 euros to encourage public transport use. Tenerife's 'Ashotel Movilidad Compartida' project reduced CO2 emissions by 64% and removed 106 vehicles daily by sharing buses among 14 hotels. In Benidorm, a pilot test with Repsol and TUI used biocombustibles from organic waste, reducing emissions by up to 90%. Tenerife South Airport, handling over 12 million passengers annually, faces taxi shortages, with Ashotel advocating for joint service areas. Sustainable tourism requires collective commitment from public administrations, private companies, and tourists.

💰 In the 2025/2026 season, Imserso's tourism program introduces a €50 flat rate for 7,447 out of 879,213 available spots (0.8%) for pensioners with the lowest incomes, replacing the previous 50% discount for 1% of places. To qualify, incomes must not exceed the non-contributory pension rate of €517.90. This initiative aims to promote active aging and inclusivity for low-income seniors.

🏖️ The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights initiated the bidding process for the Imserso social tourism program on Tuesday, allocating €970 million for 2025-2028. A new €50 flat rate for low-pension earners provides 7,447 places, while overall spots for the next season drop by 7,000 to 879,213. Other changes include pet-friendly travel options, a three-star minimum hotel requirement with leisure activities, proportional distribution of 36% of spots throughout the campaign, and a €100 surcharge for high-season travel.

🏖️ Iberostar Beachfront Resorts opened the Iberostar Selection Mirage Hammamet in Hammamet, Tunisia, featuring an all-inclusive model, 271 accommodations, and direct access to a private beach. The resort offers three thematic restaurants, four bars, and four pools, with a heated pool spa set to open in October 2025. Focused on family tourism, it includes the Star Camp program for children and has seven tennis courts, a modern gym, an amphitheater, and meeting rooms. Hammamet is renowned for its beaches, temperate climate, and cultural heritage, including a 15th-century Kasbah. Iberostar is committed to sustainability, supporting local gastronomy and community engagement, and the new resort, launched in April 2025, marks an expansion in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

📖 The Circular Hub, through interventions in The Social Hub Madrid, Barcelona, and San Sebastián, turns theory into action, focusing on material use, design, and business partnerships. This month, The Social Hub has launched strategic initiatives and collaborations across Europe with B Corp certified companies to enhance sustainable impact. In Madrid, the Green Table roundtable discussed sustainability challenges with B Corp ecosystem leaders. Initiatives include Green Wardrobe by Loreak Mendian, Agua KMZERO's vision for plastic-free cities, and Circular Showroom in Barcelona and Clean Waves in San Sebastián transforming marine waste into surfboards, promoting sustainability and local economy.

📊 On March 28, 2025, strategies to maximize the Return on Investment (ROI) for corporate dining facilities were discussed, emphasizing the importance of adapting services to demand and employing high automation. Utilizing TPV technology allows for access to detailed sales reports and the profitability of each product. Key strategies include implementing demand-based dynamic menus, optimizing service times with TPV systems, real-time inventory control, data analysis for personalized offers, providing efficient and rapid payment options, and implementing loyalty programs for employees. The ROI calculation formula is: ROI = ((Incomes - Investment) / Investment) * 100. To improve ROI, the use of TPV technology combined with ERP software for real-time data on sales and stock purchases is recommended.

🏖 The Spanish tourism sector is ready to present proposals for the Imserso Senior Travel Program once the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption, and Agenda 2030 publishes the new tender. Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, having won all three lots in 2023, is prepared to compete again. Other interested companies include World2Meet, Mundiplan, Seniorplan, Nautalia Viajes, and possibly Soltour. The current season has high customer satisfaction levels, over 90%, with calls for program updates and price adjustments to reflect inflation.