Tendencias del mercado

🏖️ Spain welcomed 17.1 million international tourists in the first quarter of 2025, a 5.7% increase over the same period in 2024, with a corresponding tourist expenditure of €23.506 billion, up 7.2%. The leading source countries were the UK (3.1 million tourists, up 4.6%), France (over 2.1 million, up 7.1%), and Germany (nearly 2.1 million, down 0.1%). Canarias (4.4 million, up 2.1%), Cataluña (3.6 million, up 6.4%), and Andalucía (2.5 million, up 7.4%) were the top regions visited. The UK also led in spending at 15.9% of the total, followed by Germany (12.3%) and Nordic countries (8.8%). In March alone, 56.6% of spend was by tourists staying in hotels, a 2% increase, while non-market accommodations saw a 29% increase in spending.

🚩 European tourism to the United States has experienced a significant decline due to Donald Trump's policies, with a 17% drop in March. Leading tourism companies Accor and Voyageur du Monde report booking decreases of 25% and 20%, respectively. The downturn is attributed to Trump's tariff disputes and stricter border controls, affecting travelers from Spain, Canada, Egypt, and some Latin American countries. U.S. hotel chains and airlines have alerted investors about market instability in the coming months.

💰 Non-retired individuals can access Imserso's tourism program in Spain, which primarily serves pensioners. Eligibility extends to pensioners of widowhood over 55, unemployment benefit recipients over 60, and those 65+ affiliated with Social Security. The 2025-26 season introduces a €50 social fare for non-contributory pensioners, with 7,400+ spots including transport, lodging, and activities. Pets are now allowed at certain coastal destinations. Prices range from €124 to €435, covering up to 10-day trips with full board and entertainment. Accompanying spouses or partners and children with disabilities over 45% are also permitted. 🔗 To apply, registration is available online or via physical forms.

🍁 In 2024, the Canary Islands set a tourism record with 17,767,833 visitors, a 9.60% increase from 2023, while Morocco became Africa's most visited country with 17.4 million tourists. The Canary Islands, which can accommodate 22 million visitors annually, aim for an optimal 18 million to balance economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Morocco's rise in tourism is attributed to increased promotional spending and new Ryanair routes after reducing operations in Spain.

🚀 Boeing has extensive backlog, with Southwest Airlines expecting 484 aircraft, United Airlines 451, Emirates 248, Lion Air 229, and Akasa Air 199. Others awaiting delivery include Ryanair (185), American Airlines (175), flydubai (157), VietJetAir (150), Air India Express (149), Qatar Airways (130), SpiceJet (129), Delta (100), Pegasus Airlines (100), and GOL Linhas Aéreas (80), totaling 6,211 pending orders. In 2024, Boeing delivered 348 aircraft, a drop from 528 in 2023, while Airbus delivered 766 despite delays.

📱 72% of Spanish travelers prefer purchasing trips via physical travel agencies, followed by email (66%) and phone (65%). Digital interaction with agencies has risen by 11 points between 2019/20-2024/25, with email being the top channel. WhatsApp's use as an agency-client communication method has increased by 14 points since 2019. ObservaTUR's study highlights the ongoing preference for personalized attention despite digitalization's growth in the travel agency sector.

🏖 Travel Live will participate in the public tender to manage Imserso's travel programs. Competing with Ávoris, which managed Imserso for the last two seasons, Travel Live will also face Mundiplan, W2M, and Senior Plan. New tender documents released on April 17 indicate that lots 1 and 2 (mainland coast and islands) cannot go to the same bidder. With stricter penalties for non-compliance, fines could reach up to €80 million. Bids are due by May 19.

🛫 All Spanish airports remain operational despite a power outage that led to the cancellation of 334 out of 6,000 scheduled flights. Aena advises passengers to check public transport status and consult airlines for possible rescheduling. Airports have adjusted their schedules overnight to accommodate rebooked passengers and report no significant overcrowding at terminals. The flight reductions were mainly due to safety precautions related to telecommunications, states Minister Óscar Puente.

🚃 High-speed and long-distance train services in Spain are gradually resuming after a complete halt due to a power outage. Lines restored include Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Valencia/Murcia/Alicante, Madrid-Basque Country, and Madrid-Algeciras. Madrid-Pamplona resumes with delays, and Madrid-Sevilla uses road service between Sevilla-Córdoba. Service is still suspended for routes like Madrid-Santander and Barcelona-Alicante (Euromed). Renfe announces passengers can request refunds or changes at no cost, and that services will be progressively reestablished throughout the day.

🎬 Universal Studios will construct its first European theme park in Bedford, UK, an hour from London, with a £50 billion budget on 190 hectares, set to open in 2031. A whopping 28,000 jobs will be created—20,000 in construction and 8,000 in operation—80% sourced locally. The park, nearly four times larger than Disneyland Paris, aims for 8.5 million annual visitors. Attractions will include Regreso al Futuro, Parque Jurásico, Minions, and a James Bond stunt show, with a 500-room hotel and new rail stop included in the project.