Nombramientos

📝 Rosario Sánchez, Spain's Secretary General of Tourism, highlights in an interview with Palma's newspaper "Última Hora" the shift of her rivals, the Partido Popular (PP), to support socialist policies aimed at curbing tourism growth. While the PP, now leading Govern and Consell, has authority over tourism regulation, Sánchez credits the PP's adoption of a Sustainable Tourism Tax, initially initiated by Antich, the first socialist president of the Balearic Islands. The Balearic Govern's dialogue table faces setbacks as key environmental groups withdraw, with the significant GOB being the latest to exit, citing unproductive meetings.

🏩 The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) welcomed 37 new members and elected new board members for 2025, marking a historic moment with Ivar Yuste of PHG Hotels & Resorts becoming the first Spaniard appointed as vice president. Kristie Dickinson, president of ISHC's board, highlighted the strategic growth and diverse global perspectives brought by the new members. ISHC aims to advance the hospitality industry, emphasizing collaboration, professional development, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership. Membership to ISHC is by invitation, and members are recognized leaders in their fields, subject to a rigorous selection process. The 2025 board features professionals from CHMWarnick, Hotelogy, Wits End Productions, HVS, Greenberg Traurig LLP, fsSTRATEGY, Solutions dot WG GmbH, The Gettys Group, and Russell Partnership Technology.

🏖️ Viajes El Corte Inglés has removed incentives for travel agents selling Ávoris' wholesaler products, including Travelplan, Catai, Special Tours, Rhodasol, and Jolidey (to disappear on December 10). Instead, agents receive 1%-1.20% for selling Tourmundial and Club de Vacaciones packages, as well as Muchosol accommodations. This move aims to boost sales of own-brand products over competitor Ávoris, which runs more than 540 outlets in Spain.

🚩 Louise Haigh, while serving as Minister of Transport for a few months, resigned following a request from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Her resignation stems from an incident 11 years prior, where she falsely reported her mobile phone stolen—despite it being at her home—resulting in a fraud conviction. The standards for ministerial conduct highlight the severity of lying to the police.

✈ Kenton Jarvis, soon-to-be CEO of Easyjet, criticized Ryanair in The Telegraph for its approach to holiday packages. Easyjet, like Jet2, has seen financial success with such packages on their flights. Ryanair's past partnership with Logitravel in Spain failed. Jarvis suggests Ryanair lacks the brand trust Easyjet has for holiday services. Easyjet's tour operator generated over €220 million in profits from September 2023 to the same month the following year.

🏨 Abel Matutes Juan, founder of Palladium Hotel Group, was awarded the "Campeón del Turismo Dominicana 2024" by Asonahores for his more than six decades of contribution to tourism. His son, Abel Matutes Prats, accepted the award at the Asonahores Tourism Investment Forum 2024. Palladium Hotel Group, originally Fiesta Hotels & Resorts, owns 40 hotels across six countries, including six in the Dominican Republic: TRS Turquesa Hotel, TRS Cap Cana, and four Grand Palladium resorts. The award recognizes Matutes' role in making the Caribbean a world-class destination and advancing the tourism industry.

🏖️ Pilar Sánchez Acera, with no experience in tourism, served as chief of staff at Paradores and later at the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Paradores, a public tourism company, often shelters politically affiliated individuals without industry knowledge. Board members receive over 1,000 euros per meeting, totaling nearly 12,000 euros annually. After leaking emails to Lobato, causing a crisis in PSOE Madrid, Sánchez was abruptly dismissed. The Paradores president earns 200,000 euros a year.

✈ Eduardo Aguirre Quintero, commander at Plus Ultra, retired on November 25 after a 40-year career, including time at Iberia and Etihad. He operated his last commercial flight on that Monday, receiving an emotional tribute from air traffic controllers as he approached landing. The retirement was discussed on his X account (formerly Twitter), noting his wide appreciation across airlines.

📈 Victor de Aldama revealed details of a meeting with Begoña Gómez and Javier Hidalgo on a hotel rooftop in Saint Petersburg. Discussed were topics unrelated to Air Europa's rescue, despite the company's strategic importance and risk to nearly 50,000 jobs (actual direct employees under 4,000). Aldama's account raises questions about the presence of the OMT Secretary-General and the involvement of Gómez in accelerating the airline's financial aid.

🛫 Travelance, formed by Soltour in October 2023, loses Luxotour after a year-long partnership. CEO Antonio Guerra states a strategic shift for independent growth. Luxotour, with a 45-year history, cites strong technological and commercial positioning. Travelance, an evolution of Soltour Travel Partners, still includes TUI, Europamundo, and Coming2 from Grupo Piñero.