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📌 In Canarias, despite a 14% unemployment rate, there are 70,000 job openings in the tourism sector, which, if filled, could halve the unemployment rate. The shortage of housing and long commutes dissuade residents from these jobs. In 2024, tourist arrivals are expected to reach over 17.7 million, 1.5 million more than in 2023, generating €22 billion. However, the sector struggles to attract and retain staff due to insufficient basic services and affordable housing near workplaces. Rental prices in tourist areas are around €900 per month, while average wages barely exceed €1,500 net per month.

📊 Fira de Barcelona hit a record revenue of €300 million in 2024, a 16% increase from the previous year, with pre-tax profits around €20 million. The venue hosted 270 events, including the Mobile World Congress, resulting in a €53 million EBITDA, a 24% boost from 2023, and generating an economic impact of about €5,000 million for Barcelona. For 2025, Fira de Barcelona is expected to surpass the 2024 revenue figures, maintaining its event numbers and adding new ones like Vitafoods Europe and Labelexpo Europe. President Pau Relat has been re-elected for another four years.

🏠 The Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) projects travel agency turnover to reach €30 billion in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year, with expectations of a 5% growth in 2025. Survey results show 56.5% of agencies improved their turnover compared to 2023, 19.7% experienced worse sales, while 23.7% remained stable. Employment remained unchanged for 69.5% of agencies, increased for 24%, and decreased for 6.5%. Top international travel destinations included the USA, Egypt, Europe (with France and Italy leading), Mexico, Thailand, cruises, and Turkey, while Andalusia, Madrid, and Barcelona topped national destinations.

✈ Vueling dominated Barcelona-El Prat Airport in November with 1,646,988 passengers, a nearly 5-point increase from last year, securing a 40.6% market share. Ryanair followed with 665,874 passengers, while Wizz Air's explosive growth led to 203,064 passengers, up 181.1% since 2019 and 16.4% from the previous year. EasyJet had 167,749 passengers, a 26.8% drop pre-pandemic, but a 4.17% improvement from November 2023. Other airlines like Iberia, Lufthansa, and Air Europa saw modest increases of 4%, 6%, and almost 7%, respectively.

🏨 On December 12, International Airlines Group (IAG) will decide whether to participate in Air Europa's capital increase of €80 million, maintaining its 20% stake or dropping to 17.7%. The Hidalgo family has already committed €65 million. Spain, despite a €22 billion investment in innovation, ranks 16th in Europe for sustainability and digitization in tourism, with a public-private collaborative approach. In 2023, the top 25 theme parks worldwide saw 244.6 million visitors, a 3.5% decrease from 2019, with Magic Kingdom leading at 17.72 million. European parks showed a stronger recovery (+4.6%) compared to North America (+1.1%), while Asia is still below pre-pandemic levels.

🏥 La hostelería incluye alojamiento y comida, creando experiencias únicas en hoteles, hostales y más. Se extiende a la salud, educación, y eventos corporativos. Esenciales en la estructura hotelera son Dirección General, Recepción, Servicio de habitaciones, Restauración, Mantenimiento, Marketing y Ventas, y Recursos Humanos. La tecnología mejora la experiencia del cliente al conectar departamentos. Posiciones clave en la hostelería incluyen Gerente de Hotel, Chef Ejecutivo, Camareros, Personal de limpieza, Conserjes, Animadores, Personal de Mantenimiento, Recepcionistas y Botones. La hostelería ofrece el combo de alojamiento y servicios, mientras que la restauración se centra en comida y bebida, con sus propias subcategorías: comercial y colectiva.

🏖️ María Velasco from the Secretariat of State for Tourism highlighted the significance of NextGen funds for innovation and leadership in tourism to foster a sustainable and digital transition. She discussed at the Thinktur Assembly the public sector's role in promoting innovation with new destination plans focused on environmental sustainability, digitalization, and competitiveness. The private sector, represented by José Guillermo Díaz Montañés of Artiem Hotels and Thinktur, acknowledges the cultural challenges in sustainability, urging for greater awareness. Adelaida Sacristán from Fundación Cotec emphasized that tourism can't lead without innovation, particularly in sustainability's triple aspect. The sector is urged to incorporate comprehensive public administration efforts for a transformative cultural shift towards sustainability.

🛫 Spanish female travelers are set to make more international trips in 2025 than their male counterparts, with 72% of women choosing destinations abroad compared to 67% of men. Only 4% of women are willing to travel solo. When motivated by an event, 67% of women will book hotels immediately versus 61% of men. Preference shifts to vacation rentals (27%) over large hotel chains (22%) for women, contrasted by men's preference for chains (28%) over rentals (20%). In 2025, 30% of Spanish female travelers will choose Andalusia as their top destination, with only 15% opting for Asturias. Women tend to be more budget-conscious, with 3 in 10 spending more on accommodation, 19% on perks like early check-ins or late check-outs, and 19% willing to pay for yoga classes. Men will spend more on gourmet dining experiences at 38%. Technology plays a key role, with 64% of women open to using AI tools for booking and during hotel stays, and 35% planning to work during their trips, matching the male percentage.

🏢 Paraty Tech and Maarlab signed a collaboration agreement to transform hotel marketing with an innovative solution to be presented exclusively at Fitur in IFEMA, Madrid from January 22-26, 2025. The new business model focuses on optimizing direct hotel sales, combining Maarlab's technology and Paraty Tech's reservation engine with over 12 years of experience. CEOs Gina Matheis and Raúl Domínguez highlighted the solution's potential benefits and international goals. Fitur TechY will feature the launch, debates moderated by Paraty Tech, and stand 8D15 activities, including talks and interviews.

🏡 Portugal recorded over 77 million overnight stays in 2023, a 10% increase from 2019. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached €64.8, a 31% rise compared to 2019, and continued to grow by 7% up to July 2024. Despite occupancy challenges due to increased supply, hotel investment momentum in Portugal surpassed €550 million in the first half of the year, with a forecasted 10% room capacity increase (about 10,000 rooms) in the next four years, driven by international brands. In 2022, Portugal generated nearly 35% of its energy from green sources.