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🍽 International tourists in Spain spent over €17 billion (€17,232 million) on culinary experiences in 2023, up by 24% from pre-pandemic levels. The per capita spending increased from €166.4 in 2017 to €202.3 in 2023, a 21.7% rise. Gastronomy is a key motivator for luxury and premium tourists, contributing to the local economy and cultural connection. Spain boasts 377 Denominations of Origin, 291 Michelin-starred restaurants, 792 Repsol Suns, and 36 wine routes. The gastronomy sector impacted 27% of Spain's GDP, contributing €374.575 billion and maintaining 7.2 million jobs.

📈 Antonia Aguiló, account director at Belvera Partners, offers a personal reflection on the challenges that introverted professionals face at industry events like Fitur 2025, occurring in Madrid in the coming days. Fitur, Spain's leading tourism fair, now in its 45th edition, had 250,000 visitors last year, with 153,000 professionals. Aguiló, an introvert, has navigated international fairs and built valuable connections without being the most extroverted. Successful introverts like Bill Gates, Marissa Mayer, and Angela Merkel have thrived in competitive environments. Aguiló emphasizes the importance of planning and introspection for introverts to succeed at events like Fitur, especially during the fourth week of January.

🏖️ Canarias welcomed nearly 18 million tourists in 2024, who spent €24 billion, including domestic tourism. This was an increase of €2 billion from the previous year. The average tourist spending rose by 26% since 2019 to €1,416. Increases in expenditure were noted in accommodations (27%), inter-island fares (39%), public transportation (34%), vehicle rentals (64%), restaurants and cafés (46%), and supermarkets (24%). Tourist activities and experiences surged, notably in leisure parks (83%) and health-related activities (78%). Flight prices increased by 20%, yet represented 28% of total tourist spending, with 42% on accommodations. The British market thrived, with significant growth in Italian (68%) and French (55.7%) tourism. The domestic market nearly reached 2 million visitors in 2024, with a 12.7% increase in winter air connectivity compared to the previous year and a predicted 6.1% increase for the summer.

🏖️ In 2025, Sergestur presented the "150+ Influential" list in the tourism sector at Fitur, with more women in leadership roles. A Catalan family declined a €95 million offer for their hotel in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. A luxury lifestyle hotel brand announced its debut in Latin America with Hyatt and Acciona. Magic Costa Blanca and Grupo Fuertes invested €80 million in the Valencian Community for three projects, including two themed hotels. Mabrian's analysis forecasts Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and Sub-Saharan Africa as trendy destinations in early 2025. The Hosteltur Ranking showed Spanish hotel chains expanding internationally in 2024. Morocco surpassed its tourism goal with 17.4 million visitors in 2024, a 20% increase from 2023. On January 13, a strike in Belgium caused 40% of Brussels' flights to be grounded. NH's expansion included purchasing five hotels in Portugal for €133.2 million and four in Brazil for €212 million. Paris led European cities in Airbnb density with approximately 45 listings per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024, followed by two Italian cities and four Spanish cities; data by Statista and Inside Airbnb visualized on an interactive map and infographic.

🏨 Grupo Barceló cerró 2024 con una facturación de más de 6.500 millones de euros, superando los 5.657 millones de 2023. La división hotelera aportó 2.122 millones, un aumento de 265 millones respecto al año previo. Christie & Co presentó "Business Outlook 2025", augurando estabilidad en ocupación y crecimiento moderado en tarifas en el mercado hotelero español, con foco en sostenibilidad y acceso a financiación. Dos aeropuertos españoles, Madrid-Barajas y Barcelona-El Prat, se colocaron entre los más transitados de Europa en 2024, ocupando la sexta y séptima posición, con Atlanta encabezando a nivel global con 62.7 millones de asientos.

🎮 Over 40 tech companies will partake in the 19th edition of FITURTECHY 2025, sponsored by Telefónica Business and Enovam, held from January 22-24. The ITH presents the TechYhotel, an immersive experience across six thematic environments at IFEMA Madrid. Featuring more than 40 companies, visitors can interact with AI and robots, and engage in VR experiences. Highlighting technological innovation and sustainability, the exhibit spans approximately 250 square meters, with AI influencer Alba Renai appearing as a life-size hologram. Architect Miguel Soler, along with Vergés Design and Ambiazza, designed the space, incorporating recycled clay signage by Mayche Ayllón. Tech solutions like PUDU Robotics, Emovili electric vehicles, and Solun PV energy generation showcase the future of sustainable hospitality and tourism.

🏨 Grupo Barceló closed 2024 with record figures, surpassing €6.5 billion in revenue, an increase from €5.657 billion the previous year. The hotel chain contributed €2.122 billion to the revenue, €265 million more than in 2023. Net profit exceeded €300 million, with an EBITDA of €500 million, 24% higher than in 2023, and net financial debt at zero. Destinations in America contributed 65% of the total EBITDA. Barceló Hotel Group plans to invest around €400 million in acquiring, renovating, and repositioning strategic hotel assets, with a focus on Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Morocco.

🏨 Christie & Co's "Business Outlook 2025" report indicates Spain's hotel investment trends for the year, revealing a record occupancy and Average Daily Rate (ADR), with over €3.2 billion in transactions in 2024. Institutional investors are expected to return to the market, driven by lower debt costs and diversification needs, alongside economic and mid-range operators accelerating growth in Spain, and international brands continuing their market penetration supported by white-label managers. Economic recovery post-inflation and energy cost normalization may limit hotel price increases. Spain solidifies as a global tourism leader amidst political instability in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Domestic clientele, representing about a third of overnight stays, is not expected to grow in 2025. Spanish banks remain willing to finance hospitality, though Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios haven't returned to pre-2022 levels. Alternative financing is growing. Spain leads in sustainability, driven by legislation and customer expectations, addressing overtourism and staff housing shortages in islands by developing accommodations.

🏖 The "Premios Q" and special 25th anniversary awards will be presented by the ICTE on January 23 during NocheQ at Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid. Notable recipients include the Ayuntamiento de Jerez, HOSBEC, five Axarquía malagueña routes, journalist Carles Lamelo, CEHAT, Estación de Esquí del Valle de Astún, and Hoteles Intelier. The event celebrates quality and sustainability in tourism, with the presence of industry minister Jordi Hereu and ICTE president Miguel Mirones.

💸 Imserso, under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, is set to revamp its senior tourism program's distribution system. Director Mayte Sancho aims to ease travel choice and align with evolving user profiles. A new tender process has commenced, with inspection systems to be bid on, and an impact study on user health and well-being is planned. Official tender documents will be released between February and March. Ávoris, Mundiplan, Nautalia, and Senior Plan are prospective bidders; Soltour has withdrawn, questioning the tender's integrity.