Hotel transaction activity in Spain 2014 could be expected to rise, as confidence in the country’s performance is stronger. Increasing interest by international investors, together with lower investment risks, might lead to higher transaction activity in 2014.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that its global powerhouse, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, continues to enhance its portfolio with the re-opening of the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel following a complete nine-month, multi-million Euro renovation. This renovation is part of a multi-year revitalisation of the Sheraton brand through which Starwood and its owner partners have invested more than US$6 billion.
Hard Rock International– owner of one of the world's most iconic and recognized brands – announces theHard Rock Hotel Ibiza, anticipated to open inMay 2014. Continuing Hard Rock's earned 'Best in Class' recognition in the Americas, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza will represent the first Hard Rock Hotel to open inEurope. Palladium Hotel Group, pursuant to a license agreement from Hard Rock, will transform two former Fiesta Hotels, Club Don Toni and Hotel Don Toni, into the Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, slated to feature the brand's legendary music-inspired style.
The increasing customer diversity and demands are changing the landscape of the beach hotels, and the leading hotel chain in Spain, Meliá Hotels International, launches a new program, which makes its innovative@SolWaveHouseHotel, located in the beach of Magaluf (Mallorca) become the first ever "twitter experience hotel" in the world.
Leading B2B International wholesaler Jumbo Tours, part of Alpitourworld, has enhanced its distribution technologies following a two-way direct XML integration with eRevMax for its brands Jumbonline and Jumbobeds. The advanced connectivity has already provided measurable business benefits to Jumbo Tours Group bookings from leading hotel chains that distribute inventory through RateTiger and the Connect enterprise distribution platform.
Holiday Inn Madrid – Las Tablas due to open at the beginning of quarter three this year will operate under a franchise agreement with Gestion T3 Hotels who operate four other IHG hotels in Spain. The 133 room hotel is a conversion from an existing hotel, where a renovation project is already under way and is set to provide improved facilities for its guests.
Hotel investment volumes in 2012 registered a total value of approximately €400 million, half of the €800 million registered in 2011. This ends the year-on-year growth that started in 2009. Over 65% of 2012 investment originated from domestic sources and 35% from European investors. The most important transactions registered this year are the sale of Rafael Barcelona Port and the sale of Barceló Raval, as well as the sale of Holiday Inn Madrid, advised by Jones Lang LaSalle.
Generator has this week officially opened the doors of its first venture in Spain. The new Barcelona property brings the brand's range of urban design hostels to eight across Europe, with significant further growth planned. The latest opening signals a period of expansive growth for the industry's largest freehold hostel group, which is backed by Patron Capital. As the only design-led hostel company with multiple locations, Generator also plans to extend its portfolio beyond its current European reach.
Apogee Investors has signed an agreement with Mobilona LLC to manage the financing of Europe's tallest hotel on a man-made island off the coast of Catalonia, Spain. With an initial investment projected at €1.5 billion, Mobilona plans to construct the first of its kind 'Space Hotel' on Barcelona Island which will offer guests an out of this world experience through immersive building technology and the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT). All suites and residences will be equipped with immersive wall and surface displays that provide panoramic impressions of the universe.
Meliá Hotels & Resorts has opened its first resort on the Andalusian province of Huelva (Atlantic coast), in Spain. The Meliá Atlantico - Isla Canela is a large holiday resort located on the beachfront in Isla Canela, one of the most privileged tourist destinations and residential areas in Andalusia, a new destination for Meliá Hotels International which will also strengthen its brand portfolio in Spain.
The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is the exclusive academic partner of the IESE Business School for the third International Tourism Summit being held Friday, May 17, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain. At the summit, Steve Carvell, associate dean for academic affairs, Rohit Verma, professor of services operations management, Chris Anderson, associate professor of services operations management, will be moderating panel discussions. The summit is organized by the IESE Business School and will analyze driving forces and emerging trends in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Key topics will include competition in a crowded market, the impact of new technologies and social media, sustainability, and finance and real estate.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Cap Vermell Hotel Proyectos y Promociones, S.L, a Spanish real estate development company, for a new Park Hyatt hotel in Mallorca. Park Hyatt Mallorca will be the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea off the eastern coast of Spain.
The Spanish hotel market has proven to be resilient when compared to other economic sectors, despite the country falling into a double dip recession. Interest for well-located properties in Spain is still high, with international investors keeping their eyes on the country's main cities and waiting for distressed opportunities that offer high-performing assets at affordable prices.
We should take certain facts into consideration in order to explain why the hotel business is more complex than not long ago. These facts are new business issues and complicate more things. Some of these business issues are uniquely happening in Spain, but others also happen everywhere in our hospitality industry.
The portfolio ofFour Seasonshotels set in historic buildings in Europe's most important cities is expanding again with the development of the Canalejas Project in Madrid, Spain. With a planned opening within the next four years, the Hotel will be the company's first in Spain.
TTI Technologies International, the hospitality industry's leading provider of Driver's License/Passport Scanners, Business Centers, Concierge Services and other hotel solutions has secured a strong reseller relationship in Spain with Aero Information Technology, LLC.
A tourism investment forum for Africa and a debate on tourism prospects in the Middle East and North Africa are among the many UNWTO events planned for the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR (Madrid, Spain, 30 January – 3 February 2013).
Spain’s first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel opened its doors this week, bringing a unique blend of contemporary upscale accommodation and traditional Catalan flavor to the Costa Brava. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Emporda features 87 guestrooms and offers a prime location for travelers looking to sample the delights of one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations.
Meliá Hotels International has announced its third Innside by Meliá hotel in Madrid: the Innside Madrid Suecia, scheduled to open in 2014. The hotel will join the other two properties announced just a month ago: the Innside Madrid Genova and the Innside Madrid Luchana.
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading global hotel companies, today announced the signing of its third Holiday Inn hotel in Madrid, the Holiday Inn Madrid Calle Alcala. Holiday Inn Madrid Calle Alcala will open in April 2013, following a conversion from a Velada hotel and will operate under a franchise agreement with Rentas Hoteleras Socimi S.A.