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✈ Europe saw the addition of 1,356 new air routes in 2024, with Ryanair leading by testing 208 new routes and Easyjet following at 155. The third place was Norwegian with 62, and Wizz Air with 57. Typically, Ryanair aims to try up to 300 new routes annually, indicating that 2024 was not among its strongest years. Traditional airlines did not rank among the top 15 in terms of new routes.

📍 Rubén Fernández, director general of Airmet, reflects on the travel agency sector's exceptional performance in 2024, highlighting the return of advanced sales and increased professionalism among independent agencies. After a few years of sharp price increases, air ticket costs are stabilizing, with Airmet advocating for realistic planning for 2025 as inflation eases. Airmet saw an 8% growth in associated agencies compared to 2023. The trend of advanced booking, which started in 2019, benefits the entire value chain, allowing for better planning and risk minimization for tour operators and more balanced workloads for agencies. Despite no specific data, travel has become a higher priority for consumers, leading to more financing for trips. Early signs for 2025 are optimistic, with group bookings performing well and requests for 2026 already coming in. However, it's too early to predict the year's outcome, and Airmet emphasizes cautious goal-setting without expecting consistent double-digit growth.

🏠 "Hospitalidad Emprendedora en Ruta: Camino a la Innovación" begins on February 28 in Barcelona, focusing on the impact of AI, blockchain, and new technologies in tourism and hospitality. It features masterclasses, debates, and workshops for industry professionals and innovators. Barcelona is the first stop of a tour across Spain, with an open invite to media and hospitality professionals for participation and discussion on the industry's future. More info and registration available on Eventbrite.

🏨 Microhoteles, a new accommodation concept offering rooms between 4 and 10 square meters, appeal to travelers like millennials, Gen Z, and business professionals, prioritizing common areas for socializing and work. These hotels provide affordable rates, strategic urban locations, modern design with functional tech solutions, and focus on sustainability. Examples include CitizenM in Paris, Optimi Rooms in Spain, City Hub in the Netherlands, Capsule Inn in Osaka, and Hotel Arlo in New York, showcasing the global presence and popularity of microhotels in high-demand cities.

📣 Fergus Group renews its commitment with Fundación Aspas and La Buena Huella in Baleares to drive the second edition of their inclusive job placement program for individuals with hearing disabilities and/or social vulnerability. Ilunion Hotels partners with Pascual to further promote the labor inclusion of disabled individuals and responsible consumption. The goal by 2025 is for 50 people to undergo training at each of Fergus Group's hotels for future tourism sector employment. Fundación Aspas manages three restaurants and a catering service, providing work and training for those with various disabilities. Ilunion Hotels and Pascual's strategic agreement aims to enhance sustainability in hospitality, focusing on knowledge exchange, responsible management practices, healthy and local products, and sustainable packaging. They also plan to raise awareness among clients on sustainable consumption habits.

🏖️ España estableció nuevos récords en 2024 con la visita de 93,8 millones de turistas internacionales y un gasto acumulado de más de 126.000 millones de euros. La desestacionalización mostró incrementos de viajeros y gasto en temporada baja y media superiores a la temporada alta. La desconcentración turística se reflejó en el crecimiento de viajeros y gasto en comunidades con menor incidencia turística. Los turistas extranjeros, con un 86,4% viajando por ocio, prefirieron Cataluña (21,3%), Baleares (16,3%) y Canarias (16,2%) como destinos. Los principales emisores asiáticos siguieron creciendo, con China registrando un aumento del 66,7% en viajeros y del 69,3% en gasto. El mercado europeo representó el 86% de los emisores, con crecimientos notables en Polonia, Países Bajos, Irlanda, Portugal, Bélgica y Francia. Estados Unidos mostró un crecimiento del 11,2%. El Reino Unido lideró la emisión de turistas hacia España, seguido de Francia y Alemania. Bélgica y Estados Unidos destacaron en el aumento

💰 Vicente Fenollar of Ávoris sees potential for a European Imserso program, suggesting exchanges between Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and higher category hotels for an additional fee, with user satisfaction this season at 90%. On February 12, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary deemed Spain’s fines illegal and threatened to raise fares, while the EU initiated a preliminary investigation and Ryanair offered 179,000 seats at €19.99. A general strike in Belgium on Thursday led to all flights from Brussels-Zaventem and Charleroi airports being canceled, with travelers advised to check flight status.

📝 In 2024, the global hotel industry reached a record contribution of $11.1 trillion to the global GDP. Analysis of over 39 million reviews from 11,200 hotels for the 2024 Guest Experience Benchmark Report revealed that mid-tier hotels are outperforming luxury establishments due to competitive pricing and service improvements. The increasing role of AI and digital interactions is expected to define reputation by 2025. Customer satisfaction has been rising since Q3 2022, as the Global Review Index (GRI) indicates a return to pre-COVID patterns. Asia leads with high Net Promoter Scores, while Europe and North America show slower growth. The volume of reviews has decreased due to stricter policies by platforms like Google against fake reviews, resulting in a 10% drop in Latin America in 2023. Italy now requires proof of purchase for online reviews, raising questions about the impact on the review volume and authenticity. AI-generated reviews pose new challenges for fraud detection. The reputation of OTA's like Agoda and Expedia is improving, while Booking.com and Google remain stable. The use of AI tools is speeding up hotels' response times to reviews.

🏨 In Asturias, the Spanish Association of Hotel Directors (AEDH) will host events from February 17-19, 2023, at Gijón's Hotel Príncipe de Asturias and Oviedo's Gran Hotel Regente. Sessions will include the Revenue Management White Paper Session on February 17 at 4:30 PM and #ExperienciasAEDH Days on February 18-19, starting at 9:30 AM. Isidro Tenorio will coordinate, with companies like Profitroom and Bequest participating. Presentations will cover hotel marketing strategies and networking opportunities. Reservations can be made via Eventbrite links provided.

🏦 Hyatt Hotels Corporation to acquire all outstanding shares of Playa Hotels & Resorts for $13.50 each, totaling approximately $2.6 billion. The transaction, expected to close by the end of the year, aims for at least $2 billion in asset sale revenue by 2027. Hyatt, already owning 9.4% of Playa's shares, financed the acquisition entirely through new debt, with plans to repay over 80% of it using the projected asset sale proceeds. The inclusion of Playa's resorts in iconic locations across Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica will expand Hyatt's all-inclusive portfolio, initiated with the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara brands in 2013. This move follows Hyatt's 2021 acquisition of Apple Leisure Group and a 50/50 joint venture with Grupo Piñero, further solidifying its position in all-inclusive offerings.