Iniciativas Eco-responsables y RSE

🏖 INTUR, the International Inland Tourism Fair, is currently underway at the Feria de Valladolid, having started with INTUR Talks. Over 60 tour operators and travel agencies have gathered to discuss tourism focused on culture, heritage, gastronomy, and nature. Natalia Briales from Turespaña highlighted the unique potential of regions like Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura for diversification and year-round travel, important for combatting overtourism. Strategies include promoting sustainable agrotourism experiences, with Segittur aiming to engage 170 companies from 19 destinations by 2025 to enhance tourism's value.

🌍 Global CO2 emissions from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) companies decreased by 12% in 2023 compared to 2019. The transport and tourism sectors accounted for 6.7% of emissions, down from 7.8% in 2019. This represents a 12% reduction in emissions and an 8.4% decrease relative to GDP. Fossil fuel dependence dropped from 90% to 88.2%, while clean energy usage increased from 5.1% to 5.9%. Julia Simpson, WTTC President, highlights the decoupling of GDP growth from emissions, emphasizing sustainability and innovation in tourism.

🚀 En el Primer Encuentro Nacional de Agencias de Viajes en Canfranc Estación (Huesca), organizado por la CEAV, líderes del sector turístico discutieron la importancia de la unión frente a retos como las regulaciones gubernamentales y la relación con proveedores. Luis Arroyo (FAAV) y Eduardo García (AAVOT) destacaron la disminisión de influencia debido a la división. Elena Aguirre (Bidaikide) y Rafael Serra (CEO de Viatges Temps d'Oci) resaltaron los beneficios de la unión, como la mejora de la visibilidad y la comunicación. Además, en el evento también se enfatizó la necesidad de unificar esfuerzos para avanzar en sostenibilidad del sector.

🏨 Starting in 2025, MarSenses Hotels & Homes will implement a policy to promote well-being and improve quality of life for its senior staff, unanimously approved, to ease the transition towards retirement. It has recently cut the working week to 38.5 hours for all staff, marking a milestone for the Balearic chain, amidst various corporate and sustainability advancements such as acquiring their fifth hotel and achieving the prestigious Travelife certification. CEO Rodrigo Fitaroni affirms the commitment to gender equity and employee well-being.

🏨 Preferred Hotels & Resorts added over 60 new properties since early 2024, the largest increase since 2018, with its Legend Collection surpassing 100 properties, including 23 new Beyond Green properties for sustainable lodging. With over 600 locations in more than 80 countries, the 20-year family-owned company sees growth through strategic advantages. Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards recognized 60 Legend properties in 2024. Recent openings include Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, Only YOU Hotel Sevilla, and an expanded partnership with Virgin Limited Edition added iconic destinations like Necker Island. Beyond Green committed to donating 1% of annual sales for environmental nonprofits in collaboration with 1% for the Planet.

🏕 Grupo Hotusa, focusing on sustainable tourism, operates in seven key areas including heritage preservation and environmental impact reduction. Their Áurea Hotels brand embodies their cultural commitment, with plans to grow in historic buildings. The group surpasses 250 employees at their Chantada center, emphasizing local development and professional training, with 13 dual training partnerships in Galicia. Their 2023 ecological plan reduced kilowatt consumption by over 20% and aims to plant the equivalent of 27,583 trees in renewable energy generation. They guarantee 100% renewable energy in Italy and aspire to halve CO2 emissions in Eastern Europe hotels by 2024-2025. Over 70% of their purchases are local, kitchen oil is converted into biofuel, and water usage is meticulously managed, promoting sustainability across their Restel, Keytel, and Eurostars Hotel Company brands.

🏨 Toledo's hotel sector, with 252 hotels and 1,235 extra-hotel establishments, met on November 6, 2024, to discuss energy efficiency improvements. The ITH Hotel Energy Meetings 2024 event was held at the Hotel Eurostars Palacio Buenavista, inaugurated by prominent figures like Ana Isabel Fernández, Director General of Tourism, and Tomás Palencia, AHT President. Castilla-La Mancha pledged €120 million, partly funded by Next Generation funds, aiming to reduce carbon footprint, which includes a €13.1 million aid line for tourism businesses, with 247 applications worth €6.2 million. Toledo offers 11,369 hotel beds and 12,060 extra-hotel beds, with a new ITHSaveHotel program to enhance energy efficiency.

🚨 Mayte García Córcoles discusses the initial challenge of managing the influx of contributions and proposals in Valencia, where the occupancy forecast exceeded 85% for the holiday. The city swiftly shifted from cancellations due to transportation issues to providing accommodation for first responders like forensic doctors and civil protection teams. A coordinated database with Turisme de la Comunidad Valenciana allowed for the accommodation of National Police, Civil Guard, and firefighters. Collaboration with Asuntos Sociales and the NGO World Central Kitchen, facilitated by the Centro de Turismo de Valencia, provided meals and shelter for those in need. The hospitality industry in Valencia stands united, offering long-term support and promoting tourism as a transformative force in recovery efforts.

🏖️ Princess Senses The Mangrove is an adults-only, all-inclusive 5-star resort featuring 401 seafront rooms and 14 overwater villas with partially glass floors and infinity pools. The Princess Grand Jamaica is a family-friendly 5-star resort offering 590 sea-view rooms, water park, kids' club, and teen center. Both resorts have Platinum suites with butler service. They prioritize sustainability, including mangrove preservation and self-sufficiency in electricity, natural gas, and water. These resorts represent the largest international investment in Jamaica's history and will house up to 450 staff members, a third of the employees.

🏨 Lopesan Hotel Group at the World Travel Market in London from November 5-7, 2024, will present expansion plans and sustainable tourism model. Key facts include over 100 meetings with CEOs, focusing on the UK as the primary market for Gran Canaria and exploring business avenues in the Dominican Republic and Germany. The Group has invested €50 million since 2019 in renewable energy, doubling the renewable energy used by its Gran Canaria hotels, aiming for total decarbonization by 2030. The stand is 70 sqm with a 3.5m high and 2.5m wide LED screen showcasing their hotels and commitment to local products.