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📝 Sara Sánchez, CEO of Rusticae, emphasized women's role in travel decision-making at Interihotel, an event in Ifema Madrid. Women, not only traveling more but also leading in travel decisions, demand new hotel models. The roundtable, moderated by Helena Burstedt of Hyatt, discussed the influence of female presence in hospitality. Key points include the transformation of hotel design towards flexibility and sustainability, and the significant role of women in all phases of hotel projects. Rusticae, a company with 90% female ownership and 60% female staff, reflects this with over half of their accommodations managed by women.

🏨 Hotel businesses often have high seasons marked by increased demand, which can cause occupancy and revenue per available square meter (RevPAM) to soar. High season usually aligns with summer months, particularly school holidays, and can be influenced by local events such as sports competitions, week-long shows like Eurovision, or major concerts. Strategies for managing properties during high season include automated rate adjustments, self-service check-in/out systems, intuitive booking panels, mobile updates for housekeeping, quick staff onboarding, digital upselling, intuitive booking engines, and secure, integrated payment systems. Mews offers functions that save time, boost revenue, and enhance guest experiences during peak times.

🏨 Westmont Hospitality and Grupo Lar have formed an alliance to develop and operate hotels in Spain, committing an initial investment of €350 million. The partnership aims to open 12 "select service" hotels with around 2,500 rooms over a six-year period, focusing initially on Spain's major cities. The plan emphasizes "responsible and sustainable growth" with adherence to ESG criteria. Westmont co-owns Room Mate in Spain with Angelo Gordon and is connected to major hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott.

🏨 Hotel bookings in Spain saw a double-digit growth during the last week, with a market share of 33% for early bookings coinciding with Black Friday week. TravelgateX data from November 25 to December 2, 2024, shows a significant increase in bookings, with the central day of sales on November 29. Baleares experienced an 80% increase compared to the previous week and a 56% rise year-over-year. Early booking rates, over 90 days in advance, were up from 24% to 33%. Increases in bookings from the UK (37%), Germany (60%), the US (35%), and Italy (64%) were notable, with Thailand at the top with a 110% surge.

🏠 Torre Melina Gran Meliá, a renovated urban resort with over 30 years of history, is located in Barcelona near Diagonal avenue and the Real Club de Polo. It features 25,000 m² of gardens, two outdoor pools, exclusive lounge, modern gym, wellness center with indoor pool, rooftop for events with 360° views, three high cuisine restaurants, and 17 versatile meeting rooms. Meliá Hotels International also offers Casa de las Artes Meliá Collection in Madrid's literary Barrio de las Letras, highlighting art with restaurant Maché, an exclusive library, and Cinema Miró in a 1913 palatial building. INNSiDE Madrid Valdebebas, near Madrid-Barajas Airport, is a four-star hotel with 273 rooms, 24-hour gym, outdoor pool, airport shuttle, private parking, and a conference center with over 3,200 m² of space including 18 modulable meeting rooms. Meliá PRO ensures best rates and conditions for travel agent bookings.

🏨 Hotel transactions in Spain are projected to reach €3,000 million by the end of 2024, down from €4,200 million in the previous year. The third quarter ended with €440 million across 18 transactions, with significant deals in Madrid and Barcelona. Notable is the pending sale of the Four Seasons Madrid, valued at €900 million. Market trends include value-add operations (92% of cases), luxury segment growth (53% more attractive post-pandemic), and increased investor interest in ESG-certified assets (90%). Locations like Valencia, Granada, Alicante, Córdoba, and Bilbao are witnessing substantial RevPAR growth, attracting French Socimis. Benidorm and Costa de la Luz are highlighted as emerging vacation destinations with brand affiliation and growth potential.

🏖️ In Madrid, on December 17, the Tourism Council of CEOE and the Tourism Board, with Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) participation, will host an event at CEOE headquarters to discuss sustainable, competitive, and inclusive tourism. Key figures include CEOE President Antonio Garamendi, Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu, and State Secretary for Tourism Rosario Sánchez Grau. The event features roundtables, talks, and success stories, emphasizing collaboration for an improved tourism sector.

✈ Ryanair is well-placed to enter Ukraine with up to 10 aircraft post-conflict, targeting market opportunities. Wizz Air, the Hungarian airline, is also interested but faces delays as part of its fleet undergoes Pratt & Whitney engine checks. Analysts predict a lucrative market following peace due to a tourism boom and Ukrainian returnees, alongside an influx for country reconstruction. Michael O’Leary of Ryanair visited Kiev in July last year, ready to reopen bases in Kiev and Lviv, contingent on peace assurances.

🏃 Eurostars Torre Sevilla 5* hosted a new edition of its Vertical Race with a record 550+ registrations that sold out in under 48 hours. Over 200 runners climbed 37 floors and roughly 1,000 steps. José Manuel García Luna won the men's category in 5:12, followed by Javier Aycart Lazo and Alejandro Campoy López. Mar Aguirre Plans led the women's group, finishing in 6:36, ahead of Gloria Elena Galeano González and Inmaculada López Hidalgo. Prizes included a Junior Suite stay, tasting menu dinner, and thermal circuit.

🔔 Implemented on Monday, the traveler registration mandated by Minister Marlaska affects hotels, travel agencies, and car rental companies. It requires up to 42 traveler and booking details, despite tourism sector protests. Infringements lead to fines between 100 to 30,000 euros. The system aided in locating over 15,000 fugitives with the help of the tourism sector.