Tendencias del mercado

✈ British Airways, the largest airline of IAG group, has pilot salaries revealed: newly joined co-pilots earn £65,000 (~€78,000) per year; experienced first officers make between £100,000 and £120,000 (€120,000 - €142,000); and captains up to £167,000 annually (€200,000). Pilots and their families aren't entitled to free tickets but can purchase unsold seats last minute at 90% off or get a 10% discount on regular fares.

🏥 Hostelería de España anticipates a 6% growth in 2024 compared to the previous year. Facturation increased by 8.1% from January to September 2024 over the same period in 2023, with inflation-adjusted rises of 2.5% overall, 2.2% in accommodation, and 2.7% in restaurants. Employment in the sector grew by 3.7%, with 1.9 million workers and the addition of 66,000 jobs. In 2023, the industry maintained more than 300,000 establishments, employed 1.7 million people, and generated €157.379 billion, contributing 6.7% to the national GDP.

🏖 Europe's tourism sector salaries are projected to grow between 3% and 5% in the coming years. Spain is a key player, with up to 15% wage increases in areas like big data and responsible tourism. Sustainability-related tourism salaries in Spain have risen up to 12%, especially in destinations like the Balearics, Canaries, and Catalonia. Hotel managers in Europe are seeing salary increases from 5% to 7%, while in Eastern Europe, the figures are more modest. Spain offers non-monetary benefits to balance salary disparities, attracting talent to emerging markets. Specialized jobs in tourism are on the rise, reflecting a trend towards better-paid positions and a focus on sustainability and technology.

🎁 In Spain, the December long weekend was reduced to three days in 2024, down from five in 2023, resulting in a 5% drop in bookings according to travel agency Destinia. Despite this, Christmas holiday bookings increased by 5%. Average prices per person per night fell by 5% to €50, with Barcelona seeing a 40% decrease to €58. Benidorm and Granada experienced 20% and 33% price drops respectively. However, Valencian Community bookings plummeted 50% post-DANA storm. Madrid remains the top December destination, with Andorra growing in popularity for winter sports enthusiasts.

✈ Ryanair, the Irish airline, will start flying to Paris' second airport from April 1 next year. Previously not serving any main Paris airport, it operates from Beauvais, optimistically dubbed Paris Beauvais, 90km north, and Vatry, 150km east, with connections to Marrakech and Porto. It requested slots for Bratislava and Bergamo, indicating plans to enter Paris with ten European destinations. Despite announcing potential withdrawal from destinations due to new taxes effective January, Ryanair's slot request suggests a strategy to pressure political authorities. Ryanair is known for initially using less common airports before shifting to main ones due to demand or assured profitability.

✈ A YouTube channel owner captured a curious image: an Azul A330 on its Paris-Orly to Campinas route and a Royal Air Maroc Boeing 737 Max 8 flying from Casablanca to Paris-Orly unexpectedly crossed paths. The encounter happened over the Basque Country, with both aircraft exceeding cruising speeds of 800 kilometers per hour.

🗽 Notre Dame in Paris reopens on December 8 after a fire in April 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron will speak on December 7, followed by a concert and mass; the cathedral will have an 8-day special opening. Reservations are free from December 16. Estimated 15 million annual tourists post-reopening, with group visits starting June 8, 2025. Restoration cost 700 million euros, funded by 846 million euros in donations. Eco-transformation includes 1,800 square meters of green space and 160 trees by 2025.

✈ KLM, part of Air France group, proposes a two-year salary freeze to its staff due to financial issues and rising operating costs. The current collective agreement ends in February next year, with initial informal negotiations with unions starting last October. KLM cites limited long-haul flight capacity due to fleet availability and uncertainties at Schiphol Airport, which plans to cut flights and raise prices by up to 37%. KLM aims to increase annual earnings by €450 million through productivity improvements and suggests a new agreement lasting more than the usual two years, noting that its wages are high compared to other Dutch companies and European airlines.

🏨 Palladium Hotel Group, with a record revenue of €1.069 billion and 12,202 rooms in 2023, leads Spain's hotel chains in Total Income per Available Room (TrevPAR) at €87,609. Riu Hotels & Resorts ranks second with €72,315 TrevPAR, 49,879 rooms, and €3.607 billion revenue in 2023. Eurostars Hotel Company's TrevPAR jumped 201% from €18,459 in 2014 to €55,525 in 2023. The hotel industry has seen significant growth over the past decade, with increases in TrevPAR reaching triple digits for some chains.

🏨 "Six-star hotels in Spain provide an intimate atmosphere with no more than 20 suites/rooms, architecture of historic significance or contemporary design, often by renowned architects, and some are listed as Cultural Heritage sites. These boutique hotels offer a unique interior design with high-quality materials, exclusive furniture, and art pieces, located in extraordinary natural environments, possibly protected areas or surrounded by stunning landscapes, while still being reasonably close to urban centers. They feature exceptional gastronomy, including Michelin-starred restaurants and exceptional wine selections. Designed for wellness tourism, they boast luxury spas, private gardens, and personalized experiences, focusing on rest and connection with nature. Guests receive meticulous service, ensuring a tranquil stay where every detail is tailored for an unforgettable experience, and the hotels guarantee privacy and exclusivity for those seeking disconnection.