Nombramientos

📌 KPMG strengthens its team with the recruitment of Fernando Martínez Comas as the new partner responsible for the Lawyers' area in the Balearic Islands and partner in charge of Tourism in Spain. Martínez Comas joins from Deloitte, bringing over 25 years of experience in commercial law and M&A, and having served national and international hotel chains, and key tourism groups. His career began at Garrigues before joining Deloitte in 2010. Alberto Estrelles, partner director of KPMG Lawyers, highlights that Martínez Comas' arrival is a significant boost, particularly for strategic sectors like tourism and real estate in the Balearics.

🏩 Iberia now controls 50.1% of Level, with the remaining 49.9% held by parent company IAG. Level, operating under Fly Level Barcelona LH SL, is gradually separating from Iberia and will finalize this process by 2025, which includes presenting its own accounts. Level holds an AOC and seeks operational permits for the US, Argentina, and Chile, planning to operate under the code LL. The airline's fleet includes seven planes and will add another in 2026. In 2023, Level increased its capacity by 17.8% and plans another 13% increase in 2023, above IAG's 3% estimate. In 2024, Level transported 846,000 passengers, 0.7% of IAG's total traffic, and established year-round flights to Miami, servicing seven American cities.

💡 Airbnb host from Palomino, Colombia, @fiorepinzon on TikTok, experienced a drop in booking volume after receiving a 2-star review from Vienna guests in mid-September. Started on Airbnb with consecutive 5-star ratings praising accommodation quality. Guests struggled with Google Maps directions without internet and complained about mud accumulation outside the house due to rainstorms. Female guest apologized but couldn't change the review, impacting subsequent reservations for two weeks.

🏠 Jorge Marichal was reelected as President of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT) in Madrid on March 12, 2025. Marichal, also the head of the Hotel and Extra-Hotel Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Ashotel), embarks on his third term with a renewed Executive Committee. He'll continue to strengthen CEHAT's lobbying role and address challenges like sustainability, digitalization, and enhancing domestic accommodations' competitiveness. The Executive Committee includes four vice presidents: Santiago García-Nieto, Gabriel García, José Carlos Escribano, Javier Vich, and 14 board members. State Secretary of Tourism Rosario Sánchez Grau honored José Luis Yzuel during the event. CEHAT's new direction aims to reinforce the sector's representation and national and European competitiveness.

🏨 Jorge Marichal reelected as president of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Lodgings (CEHAT) for the third consecutive time during the association's electoral plenary. The Executive Committee was renewed, consisting of four vice-presidents: Santiago García-Nieto (Barcelona), Gabriel García (Madrid), José Carlos Escribano (Costa del Sol), and Javier Vich (Baleares), plus fourteen members including Ana Beriain (Navarra), Eduard Farriol (Tarragona), Ana Mayor (Comunidad Valenciana), and José Luis Iniesta (Extremadura). Miguel Mirones is the treasurer, and Ramón Estalella remains as general secretary.

🚀 Iberia's veteran commander, Manuel Hernández, retires after 30+ years. His final flight featured his son as co-pilot and his daughter, Barcelona air traffic controller Alicia, guiding him. Hernández began as a military pilot, flying F5s, joined Binter Canarias, then Iberia in the 90s. Air traffic controllers (@controladores) acknowledged his honorable service with a special farewell.

🍴 José Luis Yzuel, president of the Confederación Empresarial de Hostelería de España since 2017, passed away this morning. He had announced his cancer diagnosis a year ago. A general assembly was scheduled for March 18 to appoint José Luis Álvarez Almeida as his successor. The hospitality industry honors Yzuel’s tenacious advocacy and lasting legacy.

🏖 Former UNWTO leaders Francesco Frangialli and Taleb Rifai urged the current UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, not to seek a third term, citing the need for change. They highlight their efforts in the late '60s and early '70s, leading to the UNWTO's 2004 transformation into a UN specialized agency. Criticizing the flawed initial election of Pololikashvili in 2017, they detail the exclusion of an African candidate, procedural irregularities, and Pololikashvili's subsequent manipulation of his re-election process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

📌 Four years ago, Simón Pedro Barceló led a campaign against Jorge Marichal's election as the president of Spain's hotel association, reported by Preferente and other media. Despite Carmen Riu's initial neutrality, she supported Barceló in a Baleares Chains Group vote over Marichal's candidacy. Barceló's opposition cited Marichal's tax offense, drawing support from the CEOE and a regional patronal president from La Rioja. Media outlets including Cinco Días sided with Barceló, while Gabriel Escarrer of Meliá and Exceltur, along with lower-ranked colleagues, supported Marichal, noting his cleared debt with the Tax Agency. Iberostar's Miguel Fluxá abstained. Marichal eventually won the presidency with significant backing but later faced criticism for lack of empathy and achievements, betraying some supporters.

✈️ Norwegian Air, amidst a brutal crisis, sold and then leased back Boeing 737s from its short-haul fleet. Geir Karlsen, CEO, announced the repurchase of ten 737s for cost savings and flexibility. In March, the buyback will be funded by the airline's cash surplus, saving $18 million annually on leasing. Currently, Norwegian operates 89 aircraft, all B737s, across two companies; only five are not leased.