Jurídicos y Administrativos

💰 Jorge Marichal, president of Ashotel, coerced the newly formed hotel association in Canarias into signing a document meant to show unity to unions, media, and public opinion. The presidents and delegates of Barceló Hoteles, Riu, Meliá, and Iberostar were initially opposed but eventually conceded. Simón Pedro Barceló, head of a leading tourism group, openly opposed but later reconciled with Marichal, demonstrating the complex dynamics within the Spanish hotel industry.

👮 In Playa de Palma, security forces tackle crimes like theft, cyber scams, and assaults linked to excessive alcohol consumption. To ensure prompt victim support and effective criminal response, specific legal and police protocols are implemented. These issues are discussed in the twelfth episode of the audiovisual debate series "Legal Talks by Monlex," a monthly event created by the law firm Monlex.

🏡 Airbnb has pledged to the Canary Islands Government to remove listings that clearly violate local regulation and will now require a registration number for short-term rentals to be advertised on the platform. This initiative is part of Airbnb's "notification and removal of listings protocol," created to streamline the removal of accommodations identified by authorities as non-compliant. With immediate effect, all new listings in the Canary Islands must display a registration number. The company also plans an educational campaign for hosts in Canarias on new European regulations and registration requirements, in line with Spain's impending legislative changes. This MoU with Canary Islands adds to Airbnb's recent agreements with Ibiza Council and the Murcia Region, aiming to promote sustainable tourism.

📌 90 airlines initiated legal action against London's Heathrow Airport for not adjusting service invoices after a closure on March 21 that lasted 18 hours due to a fire. The unexpected closure affected 1,300 flights and 250,000 passengers. Airlines had to find alternatives, such as Qantas landing in Paris and arranging bus transport to London. Heathrow responded that the incident was unprecedented and resolved within 24 hours, with all investments approved by airlines and regulators.

🛫 Air Europa was found non-compliant regarding carry-on baggage regulations after Sitcpla's June complaint, as confirmed by a favorable Inspección de Trabajo resolution. The airline lacks a heavy baggage filter at the cabin door on 787 and 737 flights, violating risk prevention laws. Air Europa must ensure proper control and supervision during check-in and boarding, as well as establish a written procedure for cabin carry-on baggage weight control. The Sitcpla union highlighted the increase in injuries among cabin crew due to overloading, with many not recognized as work accidents.

🏨 The newly formed Asociación de Cadenas Hoteleras de Canarias (ACHC) issued a statement on April 4, clarifying that it doesn't intend to break away from Ashotel. Pilar Parejo, the president of ACHC and corporate affairs director at Barceló in Canarias, signed the release. ACHC includes Grupo Barceló, Meliá Hotels International, Grupo Piñero (HRD Hotels), Hyatt, Iberostar Group, and RIU Hotels & Resorts. The association aims to provide a discussion forum for the unique issues of hotel chains and to contribute new perspectives, particularly in the labor sphere, while sending a message of business unity.

💰 Donald Trump's tariff policy may adversely affect the U.S. economy, particularly tourism with 72.3 million visitors in 2024 and €175 billion in revenue. Following a tariff announcement on Canada, road trips from Canada dropped 24% in February compared to the previous year. The U.S. has seen a 25% surcharge on most exports from Canada and Mexico, contributing over 50% of U.S. visitors last year. China, with 1.62 million visitors and a 50% growth, faces a 34% tariff. India's visits to the U.S., which increased by 24.3% in 2024, and European countries like Germany and France, with 1.99 and 1.70 million travelers respectively, face a 20% tariff. The UK, with 4.03 million tourists to the U.S., faces only a 10% tariff and thus far refrains from retaliation.

💸 On April 4, 2025, the article discusses the importance of understanding the different tax regimes for self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs, specifically the direct estimation method for personal income tax (IRPF) calculation in Spain. Direct estimation assesses taxable income by subtracting deductible expenses from computable income. There are two types: simplified (for those with annual business turnover below €600,000 and not opting out) and normal (when turnover exceeds €600,000). Requirements include the type of economic activity, annual income limits, exclusion of certain activities, and not exceeding other fiscal thresholds. The net performance is calculated by deducting provisions and difficult-to-justify expenses up to 5% or €2,000. Fiscal management software can automate tax declarations and facilitate accounting tasks for those under the direct estimation regime.

📌 In Santa Cruz de Tenerife province, hospitality employers and unions remain at odds over labor and economic conditions, continuing the Easter Week strike discussions. The sector employs 76,821 people: 33,633 in accommodation services and 43,188 in food and beverage services, according to Q4 2024 data from Istac. Manuel Fitas of Sindicalistas de Base states this is the third well-intentioned failure by the Canarias Government and insists the strike won’t be called off without an agreement on all terms. Ashotel and AERO propose linking wage increases to productivity and improved working conditions, but unions highlight issues like work overload and work-life balance, demanding shifts allowing for family life, eliminating split shifts, excessive work, and ensuring staff levels meet service needs without compromising workplace safety and health. They also call for replacing sick leave, aligning job categories with actual duties, and regulating temporary employment agency contracts. A salary review could avert the strike if employers accept the pre-warning points, Fitas warns. The employers seek to address economic aspects and daily operational challenges, suggesting a negotiation table for the collective agreement, with further talks planned next week.

🚀 Russian airlines are facing a deep crisis due to Western sanctions, needing to dispose of at least 200 passenger aircraft, mostly from Airbus and Boeing. Around 30% of Russia's approximately 700 Western-made aircraft will be dismantled, as sanctions from the Ukraine invasion block importation of parts for repairs and maintenance. Only 10% of flights by Russian companies use locally made planes, with hopes pinned on the MS-21 and SJ-100 models, none of which have been received by airlines yet.