Top News

🏖️ Spain saw an 11.2% increase in international tourists during the first eight months of the year, with over 64.3 million visitors. The UK, France, and Germany were the top sources, contributing 12.7 million, 9.2 million, and 8.0 million tourists, respectively. Tourist expenditure rose by 17.6% to €86.471 billion. Additionally, one-day visitor numbers grew by 9%, totaling 29.4 million. Combining overnight tourists and day visitors, Spain hosted 93.7 million international travelers from January to August.

📍 Marga Prohens, presidenta balear, confirmed the ecotasa (tourist tax) will increase during peak season months: June, July, August, to manage tourist flows. A decree law, to be passed in February next year, includes the increase and also a decrease in December, January, February to boost off-season tourism. Residents will be exempt from the ecotasa but can claim it back on their tax return if staying in hotels. Further, a ban on tourist rentals in multi-family houses will be pursued post-moratorium, targeting tourist saturation and aiding resident-tourist cohabitation. A water levy hike for large consumers, including hotels, is planned, with small consumers seeing a reduction.

🏖 España welcomed over 64.3 million foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2024, marking an 11.2% increase from the previous year. In August alone, 10.9 million travelers arrived—a 7.3% rise compared to August 2023. Tourist spending surged by 17.6% to €86.471 billion by August. Top sources were the UK (12.7 million, up 7.8%), France (9.2 million, up 10.1%), and Germany (8 million, up 9.3%). Catalonia, Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands were the most visited regions, with 13.7 million (up 9.7%), 11.2 million (up 6.2%), and 9.9 million tourists (up 10.3%), respectively.

📌 On October 1, 2024, at the Hotel Hábitat València, the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH) conference focused on 360º experiences. Pedro García, from Vivood Landscape Hotels, discussed design strategies for creating lasting impressions on guests. José Manuel Picó presented a hotel project in Cádiz, while Araceli Budía of Palladium Hotel Group elaborated on personalized guest experiences. Juan Pons of Point highlighted 100+ years of innovation. During the event, running from September 30 to October 3, the ITH aimed to promote industry dialogue on technology, sustainability, and customer experience enhancement. An innovative "Hotel Hábitat" space of over 800m2 was showcased by architect Héctor Ruíz-Velázquez.

🏨 Valencia, 30 de septiembre de 2024: Inauguración del ciclo de conferencias del Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH) en “Hotel Hábitat València” de la Feria Hábitat Valencia. Tom Ito, Head of Gensler’s Hospitality, destaca la importancia del diseño sostenible y la meta de 0 emisiones de carbono para 2030. Se menciona que el 56% de la Generación Z prefiere alojamientos ecológicos. Se discuten beneficios de ITH TechYRoom 1.0 y anticipos de la ITH TechYRoom 2.0, y la subutilización de ayudas para I+D+i en turismo. La feria dura hasta el 3 de octubre.

☀ In Spain, 53% prefer 'sol y playa' (sun and beach) tourism, 38.3% cultural tourism, and 36.7% nature tourism. Coastal vacations are chosen by 64.8%, with 39.8% opting for coastal towns, 25% coastal cities, 21.1% countryside or mountain villages, 13.3% inland cities, and 17.5% itinerant travel. Eight beach municipalities account for 18% of hotel nights. The "Foro Acave 2024" discussed the future of tourism beyond 'sol y playa', with input from tourism professionals like Cristina Lagé, Vicent Marí, and Roberto Torregrosa. Key topics included the silver economy, tourism for all budgets, better training, utilizing travel agencies, and public-private collaboration to extend the tourist season and diversify offerings.

🏡 The AZ Orus Factory Hotel, located in Zaragoza's city center at Escoriaza y Fabro street, no. 45, has been sold. The property, formerly a coffee and chocolate factory, encompasses 3,694 square meters, with 55 rooms and 45 parking spaces. AZ Alojamientos will continue operations through a Sale & Leaseback deal structured by aCapital. The seller, Viviendas Turísticas Zaragoza SL, completed the sale to SCPI Comète, managed in Spain by Athol Asset, which oversees a portfolio exceeding 150 million euros.

🛫 En España, 6 de cada 10 agencias de viajes esperan un aumento en ventas de paquetes turísticos para otoño e invierno, superando cifras del año anterior, informa ACAVE. Durante el foro Acave 2024 en Barcelona, se señaló que el ahorro familiar pandémico se agota. CBRE reportó unos 30 cambios de uso de edificios en el primer semestre de 2024, con Madrid liderando con el 57%, seguido por Málaga y Barcelona con un 7% cada uno. El sector hotelero lidera las reconversiones, con los edificios de oficinas como origen más frecuente.

🌊 Alfonso Rueda, president of the Xunta de Galicia, announced a new aid package of up to €8 million for the modernization of thermal facilities. The thermalism sector in Galicia, the leading thermal power in Spain and second in Europe, generated around 19,000 jobs and attracted 190,000 tourists last year. At the XXII edition of Termatalia in Ourense, Rueda highlighted plans for a specific program, funded by the EU's Next Generation funds, to be approved by the end of the year. This includes creating a Thermalism Table for collaboration and a Thermal Observatory for research and professionalization. Additionally, over €21 million is allocated until 2026 for the Territorial Plan for Touristic Sustainability of Thermal Villages and historic areas.

🌏 Grupo Piñero celebrates World Tourism Day with social and cultural activities under the theme "Tourism and Peace." Collaborating with local schools, associations, and authorities, it supports vulnerable groups, improves infrastructure, and promotes education, including donations of food, school supplies, and essentials. Ilunion Hotels, with Coca-Cola, gathered 41 volunteers for a waste collection event in Cala Galdana, Ferreries, collecting 66.47 kg of waste, contributing to the Mares Circulares program. B&B Hotels joined Gravity Wave, reaching 1,000 kg of plastic retrieved from the Mediterranean, fostering sustainable travel and innovation. Artiem Hotels partnered with Scøne Design to transform microplastics into unique breakfast trays, promoting circular economy. Meliá Hotels International saved over 30,000 food packs from waste with Too Good To Go, reducing food wastage and CO2 emissions, active in 25% of its Spanish portfolio.