Iniciativas Eco-responsables y RSE

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts and Continuum Hotel Management are set to open their third collaborative hotel, voco Bilbao-City, in the first half of 2025. The hotel will undergo rebranding from an existing establishment, offering 91 rooms and is expected to be voco's second in Spain after Madrid, with a debut in Granada in 2026. IHG's Spanish portfolio includes 55 hotels, with 12 more signed for future development. Voco focuses on upscale conversions in high-demand locations, emphasizing sustainability with initiatives like 100% recycled bedding and plant-based toiletries.

🏦 GAT Hospitality, led by Carmen Garayar and Teresa García as new co-directors, is transitioning towards an innovative and sustainable model in hotel management. The company emphasizes innovation, personalization, and market trend adaptation, using advanced technology for operational efficiency and competitive sustainability. Their focus includes operational management, strategic investor support, resource optimization, and integrating tools for real-time performance monitoring. GAT Hospitality caters to investment funds, family offices, and hotel chains, aiming to be a strategic partner by offering flexible, data-driven solutions adaptable to various markets.

🏖 Grupo Piñero celebrated the third edition of "Los + Ecoístas" awards at FITUR 2025, recognizing companies committed to sustainability in tourism. The ceremony took place at IFEMA, with representatives from awarded companies like Altia, Caixabank, Despegar, EasyJet Holidays, Lopesan, Making Science, and WestJet. These companies were selected for their sustainable solutions by Grupo Piñero's Sustainability Division. Isabel Piñero announced the first Mexican edition of the awards to be held in May. The awards were designed by Fundación A La Par with recycled and sustainable materials. In 2025, Grupo Piñero, celebrating its 50th anniversary, commits to a regenerative tourism model, implementing a CSRD roadmap focusing on sustainable governance, policy review, and climate change transition. Through Fundación Eco-Bahia, the group will continue enhancing sustainable initiatives.

📍 FITURTECHY 2025, held from January 22-24, led by Luis Martín Izquierdo, discussed tourism technology and sustainability. With four thematic forums—techYnegocio, techYdestino, techYfuturo, techYsostenibilidad—participants included industry experts from organizations like ITH, PwC, SEGITTUR, AMADEUS, CEHAT, and Exceltur. Key outcomes included recognition of "150 influential tourism professionals" and the VIII Edition of the Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award. FITURTECHY continues to be a pivotal event for tourism innovation, focusing on sustainability, digitization, and public-private collaboration.

📍 Travelance, an alliance of independent operators, expands its network in January with Jumbo Tours, Dimensiones Club, Itinae, and announced in November, Flexible Autos. After Luxotour's November exit, the alliance included Europamundo, Soltour, Coming2, TUI, Guest Incoming, and Intermundial. The new members aim to enhance the travel agency offer. At Fitur, Travelance introduced its new partners and announced the March launch of Travelance Rewards, offering up to €200 Amazon gift cards for bookings with alliance partners.

💰 Grupo Iberostar closed 2024 with 4.468 billion euros in managed revenue, a 17% increase from the previous year. The hotel division, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, saw an 8% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) and managed total revenues of 2.180 billion euros, an 8% rise from 2023, with Ebitda growing 13%. They plan to invest 210 million euros in 2025 and open five new seafront establishments. Their flagship responsible tourism initiative, Iberostar Wave of Change, expanded its 3R department to 250 people, served over 90% responsibly sourced seafood, and continued a multinational coral reef program.

🏡 U-Sense, part of Landmar Hotels, has expanded its presence in Granada with the U-Sense Granada Gran Vía Apartments, housed in a late 19th-century building previously abandoned and now renovated. The brand operates nine establishments in Madrid, Sevilla, and Granada. The refurbished building features original elements like hydraulic tiles and wood joinery, emulating a boutique hotel with a homey feel. Sustainability efforts include 90% waste management and energy-saving technologies like presence detectors and regional intensity regulators. Arvo Arquitectura handled architecture and licensing, with construction by Argonsa and interior design by Cotta Studio.

🏖️ Fitur 2025, taking place in Madrid from January 22-26, will see the Dominican Republic making a significant presence, highlighting a record 11.19 million visitors in 2024, marking a 9% increase from 2023 and 48% from 2019. The previous edition concluded with $3.5 billion in investment deals and participation from 58 Dominican companies. The 50th anniversary of Grupo Piñero will be celebrated, and new tourism projects like Punta Bergantín and developments in Miches, Pedernales, and Las Terrenas will be announced. The 'Ventanilla Fitur' initiative is launched to facilitate Schengen visa applications for Dominicans attending the fair.

📱 Riu Hotels & Resorts enhances customer service and embraces technology with a visually intuitive and content-rich new website, following Atomic Design methodology. Leveraging advanced technologies and a microservices architecture, the site offers real-time room availability, pricing updates, and integrates experiences like Elite Club and Riu Party. Concurrently, Riu's mobile app for iOS and Android, with 2.5 million downloads and a 4.8/5 rating on Apple Store, now boasts improved navigation, hotel and destination sections, and increased visibility of their loyalty program, Riu Class, with over 5 million members.

💸 ACAVyT contributed €5,650 to support Valencian travel agencies affected by the DANA event in October. Managed through CEAV and the CEOE Foundation, the funds aim to alleviate economic and labor losses. Ignacio Poladura, president of ACAVyT, expressed solidarity with Miguel Jiménez of AEVAV, highlighting sector unity and pledging support including financial, advisory, and emotional aid. Notable supporting agencies include Viajes Divertour, Viajes 5 Océanos, and wholesalers Canarias Viaja and Beway.