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🏖️ Europa welcomed 747 million international tourists in 2024, with 328 million visiting Southern Europe and 94 million to Spain specifically. The Canary and Balearic Islands accounted for 30.5 million visitors, one-third of Spain's total. From 2019 to 2024, hotel investment in these archipelagos hit €6.7 billion. Canarias saw hotel growth rates of 2.1% (hotels) and 1% (beds) and recorded 72.9 million overnight stays, €22.9 billion in tourist spending, and an average occupancy rate of 84.3%. In 2024 alone, 4,762 hotel rooms were transacted for €664 million. Baleares had 1,372 hotels offering 378,000 rooms, with a growth rate of 0.5% (hotels) and 0.9% (beds). They logged 63.1 million overnight stays and €20.1 billion in spending, with an 83.6% occupancy rate. Notably, the Six Senses Ibiza was purchased for €200 million, setting a record at €1.7 million per room.

💾 R2 Hoteles has been embracing digital transformation and sustainability for over five years. They were among the first to introduce online check-in, enhancing guest experience and allowing reception staff to provide more personalized service. The digitalization efforts have optimized hotel operations, reducing paper use and operational costs. Between 2023 and 2024, R2 Hotels reduced electricity consumption per guest by 7.3%, GLP consumption by 22.8%, increased cardboard recycling by 74%, container recycling by 20%, and managed over 5,700 kg of used vegetable oils. They also actively participate in anti-child exploitation programs and maintain certifications like Travelife and SICTED to support ethical and environmental commitments.

🏠 Daniel Carretero, CEO of Activa Rooms and manager of Ibiza Town Hotel, shares his journey from Barcelona to Ibiza since 2007. Activa Rooms, founded in 2011, now manages commercial strategy and revenue management for 16-17 hotels. The Core Ibiza Town Hotel, opened last year, involved a €6 million renovation by local families Bonet-Bufí and Planells. The hotel focuses on human essence in hospitality and aims to provide year-round stability to employees, distinguishing itself with high customer satisfaction and direct sales leadership in distribution. TecnoHotel OnTour is set for May 8 in Ibiza, focusing on improving direct sales and optimizing accommodation technology.

🏖️ The "Congreso Europeo de Turismo Rural" (COETUR) will take place on May 7-8 in Chinchón, Madrid. Aimed at boosting rural tourism, it will feature around 20 opinion leaders and international experts. Themes include innovation, environmental balance, attracting international travelers, and digital transformation success stories in rural tourism. 🌐

📍 Spanish travelers maintain interest in traveling during holidays, specifically during the Puente de Mayo, with a significant increase in accommodation searches for May 1-5, 2025, compared to the previous year. Andalusia dominates domestic destinations with Granada (+63%), Córdoba (+25%), Sevilla (+20%), and Málaga (+16%). Madrid leads nationally with a 21% rise. Internationally, London (+40%) and Porto (+42%) are favored. For international travelers, Dubai (+69%) is the top searched destination, with Barcelona (+11%) and Madrid (+31%) also popular. Flight searches increased for destinations like Madrid (+7%), Palma de Mallorca (+7%), and Málaga (+49%). Booking.com's Spain and Portugal manager, Pilar Crespo, notes that two-thirds of Spaniards, or 66%, view these getaways as a way to enhance personal well-being.

🏠 Serviced apartments are gaining prominence, offering a blend of home comforts, efficiency, and technological accessibility, in response to new travel trends demanding flexible, functional accommodations adapted to the evolving needs of travelers, especially with the rise of telework and digital nomads. The digitalization of booking and remote management processes enhances the user experience, enabling swift check-ins and outs. These trends are reshaping real estate, attracting investor interest, and necessitating a balance between sector growth, community integration, and adherence to regulations. Sustainability, resource efficiency, and innovation are pivotal for the future of urban tourism, with customer experience at the core, driven by personalization, technology, and service offerings.

🏨 La Alianza Hotelera, con 22 cadenas, presenta un modelo de gestión hotelera con IA avanzada y tecnologías cuánticas. Fernando Gallardo revela un ecosistema operativo para autonomía desde recepción a dirección general. IA en hoteles abarca desde check-in automatizado hasta revenue management. Se busca eficiencia y personalización sin perder la hospitalidad humana. La propuesta implica hiperpersonalización de la experiencia del huésped, gestión estratégica con paneles de control inteligentes y conexiones operativas sincronizadas. IA aplicará a todos los departamentos hoteleros, prometiendo una dirección proactiva y una revolución tecnológica para humanizar el servicio y centrar al personal en el cuidado del huésped.

🏨 At the 13th edition of the Traveller Review Awards 2025, held in Córdoba's Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones, the hotel sector's commitment to service excellence was highlighted, with over 360 million verified user reviews on Booking.com. Catalonia Hotels & Resorts won the title of Spain's most welcoming hotel chain, while Slow Home Apartments received the award for the accommodation with the highest ratings. Andalucía was recognized as the most welcoming region in Spain, and Fuerte Group Hotels took the award for most welcoming chain in Andalucía. Cazorla, as the second most welcoming destination globally, saw a 13% increase in national searches and over 50% in European markets post-award announcement. The "Pueblos con Alma: Ruta de Andalucía" campaign was launched to promote sustainable tourism in charming rural destinations across Andalucía.

🏖️ Between 2019 and 2024, Ibiza saw an 8.1% growth in visitors, below the Balearic average of 13.72% and the Ibiza and Formentera combined average of 10.26%. National tourism increased by 54% since 2019, while international visitors decreased by 1.3%. In 2024, nationals accounted for 24.4% (799,227 people) of visitors, with international tourists at 75.6% (2,476,352 people). TecnoHotel will attend an event on May 8, 2024, at Hotel Vibra Algarb in Ibiza to discuss hotel management and tourism challenges. The event, organized by Peldaño with Maarlab and the Federación Empresarial Hotelera de Ibiza y Formentera, is free for hotel professionals with limited capacity.