Iniciativas Eco-responsables y RSE

🌍 Barceló, Iberostar, and Palladium Hotels are innovating to create sustainable tourism benefits. At the XX Congreso de Hoteleros Españoles, these groups highlighted reducing tourism impacts by implementing sustainable standards and community projects. Barceló focuses on local economies and genuine visitor experiences. Iberostar emphasizes understanding destinations through "active listening" and has launched a blue carbon project in Andalusia. Palladium's strategy involves local sustainability teams and agricultural centers in Brazil, replicated in the Dominican Republic and planned for Jamaica and Spain.

🏨 UNICEF, FAPMI, and ECPAT urge the Spanish tourism sector to enhance child protection. Marta López Fesser advocates adopting The Code, training staff, and implementing protocols for prevention and reporting. Although Spain's child exploitation rates aren't like Southeast Asia's, risks exist in hotels, especially during international fairs. The "Hoteles Amigos" program, with 43 chains involved, now aims to integrate child protection into core business strategies, moving beyond fundraising to active safety measures for children in the tourism industry.

💰 Gabriel Llobera, CEO of Garden Hotel Group, shared plans to close 2025 with a revenue of €74 million. The group will open hotels in Fuerteventura and the Dominican Republic in 2026, while exploring opportunities in Andalucía and the Valencian Community. The third generation's involvement is enhancing strategic growth, and sustainability remains central to their operations. Recent hotel price increases were noted.

🏨 Garden Hotel Group, from 2026 to 2028, will invest €30 million in a strategic CAPEX plan to modernize and enhance environmental performance at key hotel locations. This includes room renovations, energy-efficient upgrades like solar panels, and digital solutions such as automated check-in and mobile services. The initiative aims to boost competitiveness and guest experience while promoting sustainability. The announcement aligns with the group's rebranding efforts and commitment to innovative, responsible tourism.

🏨 Meridia Capital Group recently completed upgrades to the Gallery Hotel in Barcelona and Molina Lario in Málaga, aiming for a 15% revenue increase, reaching €23 million from last year's €20.5 million. Directors Lourdes Grau and Myriam Ortiz highlight the hotels' enhanced urban and cosmopolitan essence. The renovations target cosmopolitan travelers valuing local authenticity and sustainability. The initiative includes energy-efficient solutions and digital enhancements, preserving each hotel's unique identity while modernizing facilities.

📆 2023, PortAventura Convention Centre, Spain, hosted over 250 corporate events with more than 60,000 attendees, establishing itself as a top MICE venue. Events included a 1,200-employee gathering for Uriach from 27 countries and B&B HOTELS events featuring drone shows and live concerts. PortAventura's B Corp certification underscores its commitment to sustainability, blending modern infrastructure with immersive technology to meet the evolving needs of MICE tourism and enhance destination reputation.

📈 18 November 2025, Madrid/Málaga: The Universidad de Málaga (UMA), through UMA innTech, joins the Thinktur innovation ecosystem, enhancing collaboration between academia and the tourism sector. With over 35,000 students and 2,600 staff, UMA aims to boost sustainability and digitalization in Spanish tourism. This partnership fosters joint projects aligning with current challenges. Javier López and Álvaro Carrillo de Albornoz emphasize its potential for practical research application and enhanced cooperation in strategic sectors.

💧 ESTIMAR Valencia, in its first year, reduced water use by 22%, from 160 to 125 liters per person per night, saving over 1.4 million liters annually. This initiative, involving 65 bathrooms with real-time digital meters, was positively received by 87% of customers, with 42% changing habits. Part of the 'Pacto del Agua de ESTIMAR Hotels', it includes plastic waste removal and projects for potable water access, promoting environmental awareness among guests.

📈 El Gobierno de Canarias and Paradisus Fuerteventura launched "Urdimbre," aiming to socially and economically integrate young ex-ward immigrants into the workforce. As of now, 46 youths are employed at the hotel, which is operated by Meliá Hotels International. Gabriel Escarrer, CEO, highlighted the project's success in fostering community cohesion. The initiative provides employment and future opportunities for these young individuals in their new host country.

🛫 Santiago Vallejo, vicepresidente de la Mesa del Turismo de España, destacó la necesidad de mejorar la integración tecnológica del transporte durante la "Jornada de turismo y movilidad" en Madrid. José Ramón Bauzá criticó la propuesta del Gobierno de eliminar vuelos cortos, destacando que España tiene la mayor red de aviación de corto radio del mundo. La colaboración público-privada y la digitalización son claves para la movilidad sostenible, según participantes como Joan Molas y Almudena Maíllo.