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🚂 Renfe resumes full high-speed train service between Madrid and València on November 14, after repairs by Adif due to October 29 weather damages. The route now offers 199 weekly trips with a capacity of 80,000 seats: 30 daily trains on weekdays, 15 each way, and 49 on weekends—12 to València and 11 to Madrid on Saturdays; 13 each way on Sundays. Renfe sent 687,132 notifications to passengers regarding the disruption.

🏨 Check In Jobs Madrid has advanced the careers of over 18,400 tourism professionals since its launch, fostered by AEHM, the Community of Madrid, and the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH). The platform, featuring machine learning and AI, connects specialized profiles with the hospitality industry in Madrid and includes 10 participating universities and business schools. It addresses challenges such as the demand for digital skills and customer service expertise. On November 7, a session titled “Check In Jobs Madrid: impulsando el talento en el sector hotelero” was held to discuss the project's progress and benefits. Notably, 22% of candidates have over five years of experience, mainly interested in reception, cleaning, customer service, cuisine, and events.

🏨 In Spain, hotel chains saw substantial growth over the last decade, driven by expansion into Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa, and increased rates due to high demand. Riu Hotels & Resorts led in revenue in 2022, generating over €600 million more than Meliá, which previously topped earnings until 2020. Meliá Hotels International's net result improved by 28.3% to €139.4 million by September 2023, with Ebitda reaching €425.9 million, up 10.1%. ONU Turismo projects international arrivals to fully recover by 2024, exceeding 2019 levels by 3%.

💰 Meliá Hotels International reports a 28.3% net result improvement to €139.4 million for the nine months ending in September. EBITDA without capital gains increased by 10.1% to €425.9 million. Revenues rose by 4.5% to €1,544.1 million, with EBITDA margin improving by 146 basis points. RevPAR improved by 11.9% thanks to higher average rates. The pipeline includes 71 new hotels, with an operating portfolio of 357 hotels focusing on premium and luxury segments. Meliá's net financial debt/EBITDA ratio has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

📍 At the III International Meeting of Hospitality and Tourism Executives hosted by AEDH, CEOs of Ilunion Hotels, Casual Hoteles, CoolRooms, and Port Hotels discussed the integration of sustainability into their strategies. José Ángel Preciados of Ilunion Hotels emphasized sustainability as a core company strategy aimed at positively impacting society and the environment, with an approach that must be economically viable without a short-term perspective. The CEOs highlighted sustainability as an ongoing process that requires consistent employee training and alignment with company values. They also recognized the increasing demand from responsible consumers, especially the international guests, for sustainable practices.

📍 Donald Trump's return to the White House could impact tourism variables such as oil prices, dollar strength, tariff policies, and wartime conflicts, notably affecting Canarias and Cataluña. He plans to promote 'fracking' to reduce gasoline prices, potentially leading to lower airfare. A strong dollar, advocated by Trump, may increase demand, especially for Caribbean resorts controlled by Baleares hoteliers. Trump's trade stance could affect exporter countries like Germany, impacting destinations like Mallorca. The terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, in Israel shifted European tourists towards Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Peace in the Middle East could redirect tourists back to the region, affecting Canarias' winter high season. A potential ceasefire in Ukraine might slowly return the Russian market to Spanish regions affected by the conflict, such as Cataluña. Trump's presidency may not have immediate effects on Spanish tourism, but medium-term changes in tourist flows to Spain are anticipated.

🏦 Madrid Hotel Week, an initiative by AEHM, is in its eighth edition and runs until November 17, featuring the theme "Heritage of All." The event includes 133 activities across 13 categories, with 73 hotels participating, surpassing the 2019 edition. The program celebrates Madrid's UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Alcalá de Henares and Aranjuez, along with cultural elements like flamenco and the Mediterranean diet. Activities include immersive experiences and span arts, history, literature, music, and more, aiming to enrich Madrid's cultural offerings and visitor experiences.

🌲 Mallorca will receive 229 M €, 63.35% of total funds for sustainability initiatives. Eivissa will get 67.5 M € (18.66%), Menorca 53.7 M € (14.85%), and Formentera 11.3 M € (3.14%). The environmental investment is 247.2 million euros across 34 projects, mainly for water supply and energy efficiency improvements. Other goals include promoting off-season tourism with over 67 M € for 23 projects, and cultural and sports activities to enhance off-peak tourist appeal. A total of 12 historical conservation projects are approved with a budget of 29.8 million euros. Additionally, 7 projects with a budget exceeding 25 million euros have been approved for responsible tourism, focusing on inspection, safety, and awareness.

🏢 WTM London, held from November 5-7, 2024, was the largest edition to date with over 4,000 exhibitors from 184 countries. Key topics included sustainability, with a focus on regenerative tourism and the industry's role in destination regeneration. Sabre's sustainability director emphasized moving beyond traditional metrics, promoting their Travel Impact Model for comparing flight emissions. TUI Group's solar panel implementation in Turkish hotels highlighted cost and emission reductions. Innovation was evident in technology, particularly in enhancing guest digital experiences and personalizing loyalty programs through AI. Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) were also central, with the DEAI Summit addressing hospitality inclusivity, and Hafsa Gaher's recommendations for catering to specific customer needs. Hotel brand presence at WTM increased by 22%, reflecting interest in personalization and unique experiences. The 'Experiences' section of the fair expanded by 71%, signifying the trend's importance. WTM 2024 provided networking opportunities, showcasing industry transformation driven by sustainability, technology, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

🏖️ Calvià's new campaign 'One tourist, one friend' aims to welcome tourists amidst recent protests against over-tourism. Mayor Juan Antonio Amengual emphasized the campaign at London's World Travel Market (WTM) 2024, targeting the key British market. The strategy, responding to concerns of 'tourism phobia,' seeks to improve cohabitation with residents and includes regulating illegal tourist offerings to release housing for local needs. Calvià will host the ABTA Annual Convention in 2025, bringing 450 British travel agents, representing 4,500 companies, to the spotlight.