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💸 El Parlament de Catalunya votará la próxima semana para duplicar la tasa turística, con efecto a partir del 1 de abril de 2026. La tarifa en hoteles de cinco estrellas en Barcelona aumentará de 3,5 a 7 euros, y el recargo municipal subirá anualmente hasta alcanzar 8 euros en 2029. En el resto de Cataluña, el aumento será progresivo: 50% en 2026-2027 y 100% desde abril de 2027. Los albergues de juventud en Barcelona mantendrán la tasa actual de 1 euro.

🏨 FTI Group declared bankruptcy in mid-2024, prompting BlueSea Hotels to acquire Meeting Point Spain from FTI Touristik. On April 23, 2025, Spain's CNMC approved the acquisition. BlueSea assumes 15 hotels in the Canary Islands, totaling 1,922 rooms and employing 1,500 workers. Financial restructuring involves €80 million in bank financing and settling €20 million debt with SEPI. Portobello Capital supports BlueSea's expansion into the 3-4 star hotel segment, holding 93.5% of capital.

✈️ Simon-Kucher's 2025 "Travel Trends" study surveyed over 10,000 travelers across 10 global markets. Nearly 70% book vacations two months in advance; however, 50% of Gen Z and Millennials book just four weeks ahead. In Spain, 63% book less than eight weeks before travel. Price sensitivity drives late bookings, with 27% expecting price drops. Key incentives for early bookings include a 59% preference for early-bird discounts. AI inspires travel for 35% of Spaniards, especially younger generations.

🏨 Adam and Larry Mogelonsky, along with other experts, discuss the changing value of hotel franchises by 2026. Royalties range from 4% to 6% of the top line, challenging hotel independence in the face of tech democratization. Max Starkov notes 73% of U.S. hotel rooms are branded. The focus shifts to data control and measurable brand-owner results. The evolving franchise model must become more collaborative, open, and profitable to remain relevant.

📅 Del 16 al 18 de febrero de 2026, en IFEMA Madrid se celebrará el HIP 2026, reuniendo a más de 60,000 profesionales y 1,000 firmas del sector HORECA. Este evento, bajo el lema "Next Level Unlocked", busca promover la innovación y tecnología en hostelería, generando un impacto económico de 102 millones de euros. El Hospitality 4.0 Congress contará con 700 expertos y se enfocará en tendencias como la inteligencia artificial, que puede reducir costos operativos hasta un 30%.

💻 Sercotel and SEIDOR launched OpenStay Lab's pilot phase in November 2025, selecting four startups from 14 participants. The initiative, running in Sercotel hotels from February to March 2026, aims to address challenges in operational efficiency and sustainability. Key projects include energy management, water monitoring, robotics, and online reputation management. A Demo Day on April 20 will announce winners, with potential investments up to €100,000, enhancing digital transformation in hospitality.

📅 España, 2025: 97 million tourists, ranking as the second most visited country after France. In 2026, 26 million tourists are expected in the first quarter, a 4% increase. HIP 2026, Europe's largest hospitality solutions fair, will take place from February 16-18 at IFEMA Madrid. Discussions will include sustainability, supply chain efficiency, and technological integration. Ilunion Hoteles, with a 30% growth, highlights inclusive business models. The event will feature industry leaders like Javier Águila and Kike Sarasola.

🏨 In 2026, travel preferences shift towards meaningful experiences, moving away from price-focused decisions. According to the HBX Group Travel Trends 2026 report, hotels now play an active travel role by offering authentic, culturally connected experiences. To thrive, hotels must integrate technology, sustainability, and cultural trends, while maintaining a human touch. As time becomes a luxury, emotionally impactful and well-curated proposals gain value, emphasizing quality over quantity in travel experiences.

💻 Orange and NETHITS, on January 22 at FITUR in IFEMA MADRID, will launch HOVO, a new model transforming hotel tech management. HOVO offers a managed service for hotels, covering connectivity, entertainment, security, and more without initial investment. Costs adjust based on occupancy, enhancing customer experience and profitability. MasOrange, Spain's largest telecom operator with 41M broadband and mobile lines, collaborates with NETHITS, a tech company focused on hotel industry digital infrastructure.

💻 En 2026, la inteligencia artificial se mide por su impacto en hoteles, no por su narrativa. Sebastien Leitner de Cloudbeds destaca la necesidad de comprender tipos específicos de IA en vez de meras etiquetas. El tráfico automatizado distorsiona datos digitales, mientras la tecnología de voz y la formación adaptativa mejoran operaciones. La IA agéntica se centra en la fiabilidad, influyendo en decisiones clave con una precisión estructural. La clave es exigir resultados medibles, no promesas vacías.