Top News

🛂 Spain, October 2025: The EU's Entry-Exit System (EES) launched at Madrid-Barajas, causing delays. The system will be progressively implemented until April 2026. Aimed at increased security, it records fingerprints, facial images, and documents for non-EU travelers, increasing processing times to 3-5 minutes per passenger. Upcoming airports include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, and the Canaries. Spain invested €83 million, covering 10% of requirements. Children under 12 are exempt. National Police oversee border control.

🏠 Meliá Hotels International and Eversheds Sutherland discussed branded residences at the Hospitality Real Estate Forum in Madrid last week. Meliá's María Zarraluqui noted that 90-100% of new luxury hotel projects aim to include branded residences. These residences are gaining popularity, although they are still regulated like condohotels from 20 years ago. Zarraluqui emphasized the potential growth in the lifestyle segment, while regulation clarity was highlighted as crucial for project viability.

🛂 El 12 de octubre, la Unión Europea lanza el Sistema de Entrada/Salida (EES) para registrar electrónicamente entradas y salidas de viajeros no comunitarios en el espacio Schengen. El sistema utiliza datos biométricos y reemplaza el sello manual de pasaportes. Incluye a británicos tras el Brexit. Afecta fronteras dentro del espacio Schengen y se espera mejorar la seguridad y rapidez. Irlanda y Chipre no participan de inmediato. El EES es parte de la digitalización fronteriza, complementado por ETIAS en 2025.

💻 En 2025, el mercado de software para check-in hotelero alcanzará $3.2 mil millones, creciendo un 12.5% anual. A pesar de que el 89% de los CTOs hoteleros priorizan la transformación digital, el 67% de las RFP aún dependen de procesos manuales. La automatización puede reducir los costos operativos un 40% y mejorar la satisfacción del huésped en 15–20 puntos. Sin embargo, el 73% del tiempo del personal aún se dedica a tareas administrativas.

🌃 Puente de la Hispanidad, del 10 al 13 de octubre, impulsa la ocupación hotelera en Andalucía, España, con una tasa media superior al 77% y un tráfico aéreo incrementado en un 5,9%. La Costa del Sol lidera con una ocupación del 90%. Sevilla y Córdoba superan el 81%. En Málaga, AEHCOS prevé un 90,42% de ocupación, con Benalmádena y Ronda en 96% y 93%, respectivamente. 210,000 asientos de vuelo ofertados, un 6,2% más respecto a 2024.

✈️ United Airlines announces new and continued routes from Newark Airport for summer 2026. Starting May 27, a Boeing 737Max8 will fly to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, three times a week, marking the first such route. United will also maintain routes to Bilbao, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, and Barcelona. This expansion includes other destinations like Iceland, Seoul, Split, Bari, Glasgow, and enhanced frequencies to Tel Aviv.

📈 Hotel chains have grown rapidly in recent decades, leveraging data and new technologies for expansion. Key topics at Hosteltur TV included sustainability as both an ethical and profitable choice, and factors influencing expansion decisions. Participants: David Arbó, Antonio Ballester, Miguel Ramis, and Magí Prats. Informative segments were presented by Javier Soriano and Camila Pérez. The program aired on fibwiTV in the Balearic Islands and is also available via streaming, supported by AETIB.

🗺️ Agencias de viaje acreditadas para la venta de viajes Imserso enfrentan escasez de plazas desde el 6 y 8 de octubre, lo que genera descontento. Pedro Fiol de Aviba sugiere una venta escalonada. CEAV destaca 7,500 plazas reservadas para rentas bajas y problemas con suplementos. José Manuel Lastra critica la remuneración de 15 euros por reserva, un aumento del 3%. Falta de plazas y operativa dificultan la satisfacción del cliente.

🛫 Spanish travelers, 2023, Spain: eDreams ODIGEO's study reveals flexibility in bookings is crucial, with 54% of Spaniards prioritizing it more than five years ago. Among young travelers aged 18-34, this rises to 65%. Flexible options lead 43% of Spaniards to feel secure, encouraging them to book longer or more expensive trips (30%). Most Spaniards (84%) prefer mixing airlines in one booking, reducing costs, with only 9% sticking to one airline. The demand signals the end of rigid travel.

🏠 Lloret de Mar, October 9, 2025 – The ITH Hotel Energy Meetings, organized by the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH) and the Federació d’Hostaleria i Turisme de les Comarques de Girona, showcased the role of energy efficiency in enhancing competitiveness for Girona's tourism sector. The event, featuring Antoni Escudero and Coralía Pino, introduced the ITHSaveHotel program, offering energy cost reduction strategies, expert advice, public funding, and certifications, drawing over 7,500 tourism establishments in Girona.