Nombramientos

🏠 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.

💸 Luis Gallego, CEO of the IAG group, is set for a salary increase from 3.1 million pounds (approx. 3.7 million euros) in 2023 to 4.6 million pounds (about 5.5 million euros) this year. In 2020, Gallego's salary was less than one million pounds. IAG's share value doubled from 150 to 366 pence in a year. Gallego's 2023 compensation included a 1 million pound salary, 1.5 million in annual incentives, and 2.1 million in long-term incentives.

🏨 Céline Vercollier, CFO at B&B Hotels since 2017, appointed CEO. Fabrice Collet, CEO since 2019 and with the group since 2012, now Executive Chairman, focusing on strategic diversification. Damien Martin joins as CFO, formerly with Babilou Group for ten years. B&B HOTELS aims for growth in Europe and strategic diversifications, leveraging a 35-year legacy of unique and innovative hospitality experiences.

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced leadership changes on Wednesday, aiming for a more agile and brand-focused model. Marc Jacheet, with over 25 years of experience, will join as Group President for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East starting March 17, 2025, and transitioning fully by July 1, 2025. Javier Águila, who led the EAME region since 2022, becomes Chief Growth Officer on July 1, 2025, and also President of Inclusive Collection from March 1, 2025. Jim Chu, the current Chief Growth Officer since 2022, takes on the role of Head of Owner Relations on July 1, 2025. Mark Hoplamazian, CEO of Hyatt, emphasizes the importance of experienced leadership and strategic role assignments for the company’s future agility and performance.