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🏨 Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Palladium Hotel Group has improved guest experience by automating processes and personalizing services. AI-assisted virtual assistants and chatbots provide real-time assistance, while data analysis systems predict guest preferences. The group focuses on optimizing operational efficiency, including predictive maintenance and intelligent revenue management, to increase profitability. Digitalized check-in/out and cybersecurity measures enhance guest safety. Future AI innovations may include augmented reality and advanced analytics, balancing technology with the human touch to define the brand's identity and culture.

🏖 Six contenders are set to compete for the management of the senior tourism program following the public tender's commencement. The competition is scheduled for May, with Ávoris exclusively managing the last two seasons. Key changes include a €50 flat rate for the lowest pensions, reserving 7,447 spots, an increase in funds for awardees, a decrease in available spots from 886,269 to 879,213, and a €100 surcharge for high season travel.

🏖 The President of the Canary Islands urged unions to negotiate with business representatives to avert the hospitality strike in Tenerife, but talks failed. Negotiations lasted until 8 PM Canary time, with false hopes for an agreement in the afternoon. The strike will affect tens of thousands of tourists. Gran Canaria reached an agreement previously, avoiding a strike that would have been the first in many years in Spain's hospitality sector.

📡 Pilar Crespo, Regional Manager of Booking.com, highlighted on April 8 the use of AI, including generative AI for a better user experience, at the Learning Experience by Contact Center Hub and TecnoHotel. Booking.com uses AI for internal use by employees, customer service improvement, and traveler experience optimization. AI assists in fraud detection, offers personalized travel experiences, and aligns with sustainable values. 66% of travelers in a global study with over 33,000 participants from 33 countries plan to use AI for trip planning. Trip Planner, an AI-based conversational assistant, is now available in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and expected in Spain this year. Content quality on the platform is crucial for accommodations to enhance visibility and conversion rates.

🚀 A Vueling A320 departing from Málaga to Gran Canaria diverted to Lanzarote due to possible cabin smoke. Enaire's Control Center in the Canary Islands ensured a safe landing on runway 03, re-routing other flights to mitigate risk. The plane landed without issues, was checked by firefighters, and normal operations resumed, allowing other diverted planes to return to their paths.

🏖️ Turismo employment in Spain increased by 0.9% in March compared to March 2024, reaching 2.7 million workers, or 25,000 more. This sector represents 13% of the total labor market, which grew by 1.7%. However, hospitality saw a decrease of 13,745 affiliates, while travel agencies gained 1,822 employees. The number of salaried workers rose by 1% and constitutes 81.9% of tourism workers. Self-employment in the sector also grew by 0.3%. Notably, employment surged in Madrid, Canary Islands, Basque Country, Ceuta, Melilla, and Navarra, with Canarias leading at a 2.4% increase. Conversely, Catalonia and Baleares experienced the steepest declines in employment, with the latter also marking the most significant relative decrease at -6.5%.

🏨 In 2024, European hotel investment reached €21.9 billion, a 47.6% increase from the previous year and the highest since 2019. Spain, capturing 15% of the investment, was the second-largest market after the UK. The UK set a record with €6.83 billion in investments, a 157% annual increase, and transborder investments dominated with €12.9 billion, accounting for 58.6% of transactions. Private equity funds from the US, notably Blackstone, KKR, Baupost Group, Starwood Capital, and Oaktree, invested €5.9 billion. In 2025, the focus is expected to shift towards individual large-scale transactions.

✈ On a recent Monday, 200 Imserso travelers from Catalonia experienced a flight cancellation at El Alquián Airport, Almería, due to an aircraft malfunction of airline AlbaStar. Scheduled for 18:45 to Barcelona, the issue was notified just 10 minutes before boarding. A mechanic from Málaga was required for repairs, prompting the provision of three buses to transport the passengers to Málaga Airport for their rescheduled return, after a 10-day stay in Roquetas de Mar. This incident follows a similar event less than two months prior, involving an eight-hour delay for another Imserso group at the same airport.

💰 Travel agencies in Spain are witnessing a sales dynamism similar to the post-pandemic boom of 2023 and 2024. Representatives from CEAV, UNAV, and Fetave report a very positive trend in early bookings for the summer season, benefiting consumers with cheaper prices. UNAV's manager, Iván Méndez, notes a complete restoration of the pre-pandemic early booking model, reducing last-minute deals. The demand from foreign tourism is also high, influencing the booking pace. CEAV's president, Carlos Garrido, expresses moderate optimism for summer reservations, which typically rise after Easter. Fetave's leader, César Gutiérrez, sees growing interest in medium to long-distance destinations, cruises, and international circuits, indicating a return to normalcy.