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💰 CaixaBank Hotels & Tourism executed 1,900 credit operations for the hotel and lodging sector in the first half of 2024, totaling 1.75 billion euros in funding, marking a 43% increase from previous periods. Leading regions in credit volume included the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Canary Islands, Andalusia, and the Community of Madrid. The bank, holding a credit portfolio of 8.4 billion euros and over 12,000 clients, champions sustainable projects that enhance energy efficiency, accessibility, waste management, and inclusion of people at risk of exclusion. In 2023, CaixaBank granted the sector a record 2.85 billion euros, surpassing the amounts in previous years: 2.8 billion (2022), 2.6 billion (2021), 2.5 billion (2020), and 2.26 billion (pre-pandemic 2019). CaixaBank Research forecasts a 5% growth in the tourism sector's GDP in 2024, outpacing the general economy, and 3.2% in 2025.

🏨 Eurostars to manage a 67-room Crisol brand hotel in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), becoming the 17th chain hotel in Spain. Advised by Christie & Co, the hotel, previously known as Hotel Alborán since 2002, features a modern style, Andalusian patio, prime location, 3-star rating, river or Andalucía Plaza views, a café, meeting/event facilities, and private parking.

🏠 Comunidad Valenciana welcomed 5.3 million international tourists in the first six months of the year, a 19.9% increase from 2023. Room prices rose by 10%, reaching €130 in Valencia and €112.8 in Alicante. Total tourist spending in the region grew by 28% compared to the same period last year. The UK, the top source of tourists, saw a 19% increase to 1.42 million visitors. The hotel occupancy rate was an impressive 80% during this period.

🏨 To enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty, hoteliers should focus on personalized service, continuous staff training, efficient complaint management, and leveraging technology. Strategies include automated check-in/out, simplified payments, integrated billing systems, intelligent F&B management, digitized housekeeping, and channel manager integration. These improvements aim to streamline operations, reduce errors, and create memorable guest experiences.

🏨 Banca March y Meliá Hotels poseen un 80% y 20% respectivamente de un portafolio hotelero, que incluye Meliá Fuerteventura, Innside Fuerteventura y Meliá Ibiza. La financiación obtenida será para refinanciar deudas y reubicar dos hoteles, con el foco en los segmentos premium y de lujo. Jorge Roa de Alantra resalta el refuerzo de credenciales de financiación hotelera de la firma. Meliá Ibiza, resultado de esta estrategia, reabrió en mayo tras su reposicionamiento del antiguo Sol Beach House Ibiza.

🏨 Travelodge España, directed by Ángel Beleño, aims to capitalize on Spain's potential in the MICE sector and has announced plans for expansion. In Spain, hotel rooms in the economic and mid-scale segments account for only 33% of the total offer, lower than in the UK, France, and the USA. Travelodge currently operates 12 hotels in Spain and has acquired six from Louvre Hotels Group. It also plans to grow by 15,000 branded rooms in five years and has identified 20 Spanish locations for potential growth.

🏢 Overbooking Gran Canaria & Hosteltur Summit 2024 will be held on September 12 at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, focusing on transformative marketing. Organized by Turismo de Gran Canaria and HOSTELTUR, the event will run from 09:00 to 14:15 hours, featuring round tables, presentations, and practical case analyses by national and international experts on traveler experience, communication, and the impact of technological change such as Artificial Intelligence.

✈ Air New Zealand renounced its 2030 emission reduction targets due to unavailability of efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The company initially aimed to cut emissions by 29% by 2030. With SAF being costly and in short supply, the airline faces delays from manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, and currently operates planes that pollute up to 15% more. Now, Air New Zealand targets zero emissions by 2050 with interim goals.

🏖️ España registró en el primer semestre un récord de 42.5 millones de turistas extranjeros, un 13.3% más que en el mismo período de 2023, con un gasto total de 55,570 millones de euros, un aumento del 20.6%. Solo en junio, llegaron 9.31 millones de visitantes internacionales, un 12.1% más interanual, gastando 12,373 millones de euros (16.6% más). La estancia promedio fue de 4 a 7 noches, con el Reino Unido como principal país de origen. Baleares fue el destino más popular en junio, seguido por Cataluña y Andalucía. Madrid tuvo el mayor crecimiento en llegadas con un 20.4% más. En 2023, España recibió 85.1 millones de turistas internacionales, dejando 108.662 millones de euros.

🛌 Hoteliers in Spain hail CNMC's hefty fine on Booking as a landmark decision for the accommodation industry, setting a precedent for similar companies and benefiting hoteliers across Europe. CEHAT criticizes Booking's contract terms, including commissions, pricing, and market competition restrictions, which have disadvantaged hoteliers. The industry expects fairer competition and legal compliance from OTA giants, with calls for equal rights for all hoteliers echoed by association president Jorge Marichal.