Top News

🏥 The Spanish Hotel Directors Association (AEDH) ended 2024 with the 'Golden Week', a three-day event in Madrid attended by over 300 participants, including international delegations from Portugal and Italy. Key events included the VI National Meeting of Young Talent in Hospitality and Tourism, the #AEDHVENUS Forum, and the III International Meeting of Directors and Managers of Hospitality and Tourism—each fully booked. Manuel Vegas, AEDH president, highlighted the commitment to promoting young talent. The gala dinner supported victims of the recent DANA in Valencia, doubling the funds raised. Awards included the Golden Star to Cristina Cabañas Rodríguez, Silver Star to José María Calderón Cerro, and Bronze Star to Beatriz Narbona Reina, with a special mention to Javier Zamora. A new event, the First National Congress of Tourism and Sport, is set for October 28, 2025, in La Nucía, Alicante.

🏨 On November 21, 2024, Hotel Gran Bilbao will host the 8th edition of Hotel Innovación, a key event in the tourism sector. José Estrella will showcase a water management system saving 30% on water consumption. José Ángel Preciados will receive the 1st Hotel Innovación Award for his work with ILUNION Hotels. The event includes networking and a roundtable on young professionals' development in the hotel industry.

🏖️‍♂️ Hosteltur's Annual Travel Agent Congress, held on November 13 and the following Wednesday, features over 25 speakers addressing travel intermediation challenges online. The senior tourism industry, redefined post-pandemic, highlights value propositions over price, as discussed by IAG7, Nautalia, and Mundiplan. Lopesan Hotel Group and Stoneweg Hospitality acquired Madrid's Hotel Miguel Ángel, a transaction previously valued around €200 million, marking Lopesan's entry into Madrid and second urban tourism investment after the AC Hotel Iberia in Las Palmas. French pilots plan a strike against a proposed tripling of aviation tax, fearing job losses and weakened competitiveness.

📆 The Congreso Anual del Agente de Viajes de Hosteltur has been connecting travel agents with new industry challenges and strategies since 2021. In its latest edition, there's a focus on 30-minute workshops to improve retail work and profitability. Today's event, November 13, includes a contest with exclusive prizes for active participants. Sessions cover topics from new compensation models to AI in travel design, featuring speakers from Iberia, Costa Cruceros, Deloitte, and more.

🏖️ Spain, the second most popular tourist destination globally, receives about 82 million visitors annually. TDCX, led by EVP for EMEA Sophie Chelmick, offers customer experience (CX) outsourcing to address the local tourism and hospitality sector's challenges like talent shortages and rising customer expectations. TDCX's strategy includes multilingual support, data analysis, and cultural training to ensure personalized customer relations and satisfaction. High tourism seasons, such as in 2024, see increased demand for such specialized CX services, which are vital for maintaining customer loyalty—a cost-effective strategy compared to acquiring new customers. TDCX also prioritizes cybersecurity and compliance with regulations like GDPR in a digital market where AI solutions increase privacy risks.

🏖️ Mabrian's report presented at World Travel Market London 2024 predicts India's international travel could reach 100 million by 2030 if 2% of its population travels abroad. In Europe, Spain saw a 3.8% increase, Austria 9.8%, and Greece 18.3% in Indian tourist arrivals. A third of Indian travelers visit Europe with family, seeking outdoor activities and cultural experiences. European demand for India grew, with Italy increasing by 43.8% and Spain by 11.5%. European satisfaction with Indian travel experiences shows room for improvement, with varying scores across nationalities.

🛫 SiteMinder's "Changing Traveller Report 2025" reveals the rise of the "everything traveller". Surveying over 12,000 travelers from 14 countries, including 870 Spaniards with a 25-questionnaire on travel and accommodation behavior. In Spain, 59% prefer cheaper rooms to allocate funds elsewhere, and 86% would spend more on extras like breakfast. Spanish travelers prioritize human contact, with 60% returning to hotels for personal experiences, and 70% willing to pay more for eco-friendly experiences.

🏩 Mujeres en Hospitality hosted a panel featuring José Ángel Preciados of Ilunion Hotels, Raúl González of Barceló Hotel Group, Gonzalo García-Lago of Azora, and Cristina Fernández of Covivio to discuss “The new era of tourism in Spain: revolutionizing the model for a bright future”. They analyzed challenges, including the paradox of rising prices, mentioned by Fernández, despite increasing rates not causing a recession in bookings. González noted RevPAR growth in the US at 2.5%-3%, and prices rising less. García-Lago revealed a 30%-35% price increase from 2019-2024, with further growth expected due to demand outpacing supply growth (1% vs. 3%-5%). The panel highlighted the potential growth in niches like Asian and US markets rediscovering Europe, and mentioned sustainability as a growing concern, though not the top priority for most customers. Strategies for the future include serious ESG consideration, more marketing, dignifying the sector, and unity among stakeholders.

🏕️; SiteMinder's "Changing Traveller Report 2024" based on a survey of 12,000 travelers from 14 countries, reports an 11.2% increase in international tourism in Spain and a 44% increase in tourist spending over the end of 2019. Tourism contributes to over 13% of Spain's national GDP. Popular Spanish destinations include Andalusia (27%), Galicia (26.5%), and Madrid (26%), while internationally, France (18%) and Italy (14.5%) lead. A notable 72% of global travelers plan international visits in 2025, with Japan emerging as a top destination. The "all-terrain traveler" represents a new, versatile traveler profile; 44% of Spaniards plan to travel with partners, whereas only 7% will travel alone. The report highlights a 10% annual increase in online accommodation searches and a preference for sustainable stays, with 62% of Spanish and 70% of global travelers willing to pay more. Economic pressure directs 59% of Spaniards towards standard rooms, with 86% willing to spend on extras. A growing trend is travel for events, with 69% of young Spaniards ready to travel for concerts or festivals. Remote work considerations and pet-friendly options are increasingly important, with 39% of Spanish travelers choosing pet-friendly hotels.

🏨 During the III International Meeting of Hotel Directors organized by the Spanish Association of Hotel Directors (AEDH), a legal battle against Booking for abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive practices was discussed. Alicia Reina expressed concerns about potential retaliation affecting visibility on Booking's algorithm. Booking has been designated as a "gatekeeper" under the EU Digital Markets Act, facing serious sanctions for abusive practices. Hotels may claim compensation for losses due to Booking's rate parity clauses, with potential claims up to 1.8 million euros for a hotel with an annual turnover of 4 million euros since 2010. Eskariam, working on a success basis, charges 25% of the recovered amount. The debate highlighted the heavy reliance of some hotels on Booking for room sales, and the possibility of similar claims against other OTAs like Expedia was suggested.