Jurídicos y Administrativos

📄 Javier Gómez Navarro, former Minister of Tourism (1993-1996) under Felipe González, passed away at 78. An industrial engineer with extensive management experience across various sectors, he approved the Trade Law, served as Secretary of State for Sports (1987-1993), and was appointed president-director of Viajes Marsans in January 1983. Navarro was a founding member of Fitur's board, founder and director of the José Ortega y Gasset Foundation, and editor at Revista Viajar and Editorial Cuadernos para el Diálogo.

🏕 In the summer of 2020, Canarian hotels began housing migrants, with even four-star establishments joining the government-promoted plan to accommodate irregular immigrants. Notable hotels participating included MHC Arenales and Hotel Pocillos Playa, among others. Ángel Víctor Torres, then President of Canaries, initiated the plan but expressed concerns by December 2020. The initiative also reached mainland Spain, with accredited hotels in Valencia, Andalusia, Aragon, and Galicia. Aragon alone offers 722 hotel spaces for housing migrants.

🛩 Ryanair perdió un litigio en Italia en 2021 contra la prohibición de cobrar tarifas adicionales por reservas de asientos para acompañantes de niños menores de 12 años o personas con discapacidades. El Consejo de Estado de Italia confirmó en 2022 la sentencia que ENAC habían introducido, sin requerir cambios en la política de asientos de Ryanair. La aerolínea ofrece asientos asignados gratuitamente para cumplir con la necesidad de proximidad de asientos por razones de seguridad.

🏆 Zermatt, Switzerland is considering a tourist tax of 12 francs (12.75 euros) for day visitors to combat overcrowding. The tax equates to three days' worth of overnight accommodation tax and follows the trend of other Swiss locales like Lauterbrunnen and Iseltwald, which charge 5-10 francs (5.3-10.6 euros) and an entrance fee, respectively. Venice's move to charge day visitors and plans to double the tax by 2025 has fueled global discussions on tourism taxes.

🏨 European airlines report a surge in disruptive behavior linked to drugs and alcohol, with Ibiza identified as the most problematic destination. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary cites "powders" or "pills" and alcohol as causes of aggression. Incidents are notably rising on flights from northern England and Scotland, specifically Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Germany and Ireland follow in terms of offender origin. Ryanair has implemented hand luggage inspections to prevent alcohol-related incidents on board.

📅 Air Europa secured a €475 million rescue from SEPI to prevent bankruptcy, influenced by a relationship between Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish PM Sánchez, and ex-CEO Javier Hidalgo. The €10 billion rescue fund was crafted by Koldo's associate Víctor de Aldama, per the Tax Agency's report. Air Europa received expedited aid within a month, while other companies waited up to 1.5 years. Gómez and Hidalgo met four times between June and September 2020; these meetings also involved Koldo García, adviser to former minister José Luis Ábalos. Leticia Lauffer confirmed Gómez's presence at meetings on June 24 and July 16, 2020, but denied rescue talks. ????️

🛃 UE lanzará sistema ETIAS a mediados del próximo año para reforzar control fronterizo. EES (Sistema de Entradas y Salidas) activo desde 10 de noviembre del año en curso. ETIAS será obligatorio para ciudadanos exentos de visa de países como Reino Unido, Australia, Canadá, Japón desde 2025, con autorización de 3 años o hasta expiración de pasaporte, a 7 euros. EES registrará entradas/salidas de todos los viajeros, incluidos ciudadanos de la UE, para gestionar flujos migratorios.

🏖️ In the upcoming Imserso travel season, set to start sales in mid-September, one third of the 52 hotels in the Comunidad Valenciana that participated last season have withdrawn from the program. Establishments willing to continue plan to offer fewer spots. Hosbec's president, Fede Fuster, warns of significant sustainability issues for Imserso trips. Without improved rates, next season may see even harsher cuts, while Agretur's president, Francisco Ribera, criticizes Ávoris for unrealistic promises and rates that jeopardize hoteliers' profit margins.

📅 CEAV warns of the risks in the proliferation of social tourism programs by regional governments, affecting the travel agency sector's market competition and profitability due to imposed pricing conditions. Fetave president César Gutiérrez supports these programs, claiming they do not interfere with free competition. Disputes arise over programs like Madrid's Rutas Culturales for seniors, with issues such as non-residents accessing the program, and the forthcoming renewal of Castilla-La Mancha's tourism program for seniors.

💰 Víctor de Aldama, an advisor for Globalia, was named by former minister Ábalos as involved in corruption cases during an interview on La Sexta. Aldama, linked to various scandals such as Venezuela's debt, SEPI's rescue, and mask supplies, has connections in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Miami, Panama, Venezuela, and St. Petersburg. He is seen as a key figure with deep knowledge of the corruption web, though it is uncertain if he will reveal any information.