Nombramientos

🏨 José Luque was unanimously reelected as president of the Costa del Sol Hotel Association (Aehcos) for the 2025-2029 period, in the General Electoral Assembly held last Thursday in Mijas. During his new tenure, Luque aims to focus on digitalization, improve co-governance with public administrations, and find solutions to structural issues such as mobility, sanitation, and access to affordable housing. The Executive Committee of Aehcos now includes eight members, with María Francisca Peñarroya as the new first vice president, and Rafael Luque joining as a member. Luque also plans to enhance the association's internal professionalization and facilitate recruitment in a changing job market.

📈 Marta Barceló Fontirroig appointed as president of Barceló Crestline, the North American arm of Grupo Barceló, acquired in 2017. Antonio Tovar Barceló named CEO for Central America and Caribbean, overseeing hotels in several countries. Marta joined the family business in August 2023 and worked as a Business Development Analyst at Crestline since October 2023. Antonio, with a 10-year tenure at W Barcelona, joins the management committee with other members, including Simón Barceló Tous.

🏨 José Luque García reelected as the President of the Costa del Sol Hotel Business Association (AEHCOS) for 2025-2029, with María Francisca Peñarroya as first Vice President and Óscar Pascual as Treasurer. Achievements from 2021-2025 include the creation of the Energy Efficiency cluster and Training cluster, which trained over 2,500 workers, addition of legal and HR departments, and numerous agreements for tourism benefits. Goals for the next term include supporting members, improving governance, creative recruitment solutions, and progressive improvements in regional challenges. The Executive Committee comprises eight industry professionals representing diverse lodging types, supported by the Governing Board.

🏨 Bordoy Hotels, a Mallorcan hotel chain, makes its first international acquisition with the purchase of the 5-star Grand House Algarve in Vila Real de Santo António, located on the beachfront. This expands their portfolio to nine hotels totaling 789 rooms. The Grand House Algarve offers 31 rooms, suites, and villas, including the Grand Beach Club at the mouth of the Guadiana River. Previously, Bordoy Hotels acquired the 171-room Hotel Alcudia Bay in North Mallorca.

🏥 Miguel Frontera, the first president of the Hoteliers Association of Sóller and father of María Frontera, former president of the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation, passed away at age 90 on Sunday. Born at La Marina hotel in Port de Sóller, he was a pivotal figure in transforming the tourist sector in Sóller. Marga Prohens and Llorenç Galmés, political leaders, expressed their condolences. The wake is scheduled for Monday, April 21, from 16:00 to 18:00, with burial at 19:00 at the parish of San Ramón de Penyafort in Port de Sóller.

✈ American Airlines suspended code-share agreements with Level on flights between Barcelona and Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco due to Level becoming an independent airline with its own structure, aircraft, and certification. This requires a series of audits, and American's policy prohibits code-sharing without these certifications. Level, soon operating under its own code rather than Iberia's, will be 50.1% owned by Iberia. The changes will be minimal as the aircraft used will remain the same.

✈ Transavia, part of Air France KLM group, is expanding its low-cost operations. Transavia Holland has decided to set up a base in Brussels, Belgium, starting in 2026, intensifying flights from Zaventem, Belgium's main airport. Previously, Transavia lacked a local crew in Brussels, which limited its presence. The move aims to reduce costs associated with transferring staff from the Netherlands and capitalize on lower costs in Brussels—€25 less per traveler than Amsterdam. However, Transavia faces internal issues with fleet changes from B737 to A320.

🏖 Juan Carlos Vicedo became the new director of Contracting for Ávoris Corporación Empresarial's travel divisions for the elderly, including Turismo Social and Mundosenior. Vicedo, who started his professional career in 2005 and previously worked at Serhs Tourism for nine years, served as the director for Welcomebeds in the Levante region since July 2023. His appointment coincides with the upcoming Imserso travel program tender, expected in the coming weeks, following Beatriz Varela's lead in the same role about a year ago after Juan Manuel Molina's retirement.

🏖 Ávoris appoints Juan Carlos Vicedo as the new contracting director for its brands Turismo Social and Mundosenior, with the former managing Imserso's tourism program for seniors. Vicedo joined Ávoris in September 2018 and previously worked for Serhs Tourism for nearly nine years. Beatriz Varela Quintás led the division a year ago, succeeding Juan Manuel Molina, who left after about 32 years with the group.

🏨 AX Partners' Hotel Eetu Begur, a 4-star property, joins Meliá's Affiliated portfolio managed by Summum Hotel Group. The hotel, located in Aiguablava Bay, Begur (Girona), will be revamped to a 5-star category, expanding from 42 to 65 rooms after renovations. It will be rebranded as Meliá Begur in 2026. This strengthens Meliá and Summum's partnership, now with five joint projects, and Meliá's presence in Catalonia with 16 hotels, aiming to enhance luxury tourism in Costa Brava.